Corbin Carroll, Gunnar Henderson Form One Of Strongest MLB Rookie Of The Year Duos

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We chose D-backs outfielder Corbin Carroll as our Rookie of the Year. In most other seasons, Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson would have been an easy pick—which speaks to the quality of this year’s rookie class and its leading dynamic duo.

In fact, Carroll and Henderson combined to produce 11.7 wins above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.com, which is a top 10 total for the American and National league Rookies of the Year in a single season. 

Their total nudged 2022 Rookies of the Year Julio Rodriguez and Michael Harris II, who combined for 11.5 WAR, out of the top 10. 

Some perspective in this case: Baseball writers have been naming Rookies of the Year in both leagues for 75 seasons. That puts Carroll and Henderson in very rare company.

Top 15 Combined WAR Totals For AL And NL Rookies Of The Year

Given annually in both leagues since 1949
Source: Baseball-Reference.com

Year	American ROY	WAR	National ROY	WAR	Total
2012	Mike Trout, OF	10.5	Bryce Harper, OF	5.2	15.7
1964	Tony Oliva, OF	6.8	Dick Allen, 3B	8.8	15.6
2001	Ichiro Suzuki, OF	7.7	Albert Pujols, 3B	6.6	14.3
1975	Fred Lynn, OF	7.4	John Montefusco, RHP	6.4	13.8
1972	Carlton Fisk, C	7.3	Jon Matlack, LHP	6.1	13.4
1976	Mark Fidrych, RHP	9.6	Pat Zachry, RHP*	3.5	13.1
1993	Tim Salmon, OF	5.3	Mike Piazza, C	7.0	12.3
2017	Aaron Judge, OF	8.0	Cody Bellinger, 1B	3.9	11.9
1984	Alvin Davis, 1B	6.0	Dwight Gooden, RHP	5.7	11.7
2023	Gunnar Henderson, SS	6.3	Corbin Carroll, OF	5.4	11.7
2022	Julio Rodriguez, OF	6.2	Michael Harris II, OF	5.3	11.5
1997	Nomar Garciaparra, SS	6.6	Scott Rolen, 3B	4.5	11.1
1968	Stan Bahnsen, RHP	5.9	Johnny Bench, C	5.0	10.9
2016	Michael Fulmer, RHP	5.4	Corey Seager, SS	5.2	10.6
2015	Carlos Correa, SS	4.8	Kris Braynt, 3B	5.3	10.1