Walker Buehler Falls Short In Rookie of The Year Bid To Ronald Acuna Jr.

Within a normal year, Walker Buehler would have taken home the Dodgers’ third straight NL Rookie of the Year award. However, in 2018 his 8-5 record, 2.62 ERA and 151 strikeouts were good enough only for third place. Ronald Acuna Jr. is the 2018 National league rookie of the year, with Juan Soto finishing as the runner up.

YOUR 2018 National League Rookie of the Year: @ronaldacunajr24!#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/aQh9yVhezN

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— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 12, 2018

Still, Buehler received a single first-place vote; as well as a second-place vote. Nevertheless, the strength of the two young position players above him was too much to overcome.

Official Vote Totals

Acuna Jr. ran away with this award, and it was probably well deserved. Acuna finished the regular season with 26 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a .917 OPS as a 20-year old.

https://twitter.com/DiamondHoggers/status/1062145762975535104

Buehler on being up for the Award

"The pitching tradition in L.A. is a big deal and to be in the conversation with those guys is pretty incredible." – @Dodgers @officialBBWAA Rookie of the Year finalist @buehlersdayoff pic.twitter.com/nG6GxPYYvE

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 12, 2018

Walker Buehler gave MLB Network a short interview as he was preparing for the award to be announced. He spoke of the pitching-rich tradition in Los Angeles and what it meant to be a finalist for the award.

Then, Dan O’Dowd talked about Buehler’s tenacity in the postseason.

"Your greatest players shine at the most important moments. He demonstrated that this #Postseason." – Dan O'Dowd on @Dodgers NL Rookie of the Year finalist @buehlersdayoff #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/Rm3it9mWfm

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 13, 2018

Analysis

If you had the chance to see Ronald Acuna Jr. play this season, you probably knew that this would be the final result. Moreover, Walker Buehler will have the chance at winning more hardware in the very near future if all things remain the same as 2018. During a normal season where a generational talent or two aren’t rookies alongside him, Buehler wins the award. I am certain that Buehler will trade this award for future World Series appearances and Cy Young Awards – both things that should await his future in the game.