MLB: Recent Rookies of the Year – Where Are They Now?

Jeremy Hellickson – 2011 AL Rookie of the Year

After not qualifying in 2010, Jeremy Hellickson beat out Mark Trumbo as the 2011 AL Rookie of the Year. The Tampa Bay Rays set Hellickson on his path to the major leagues by selecting him in the fourth round of the 2005 amateur draft.

Unlike his fellow Rookies of the Year, Hellickson spent more time in the minor leagues before debuting on August 2, 2010. In the first start of his career, Hellickson held the Minnesota Twins to three hits, two runs and struck out six through seven innings. His victorious debut marked the first of four wins in 2010 as Hellickson finished the year 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA.

Hellickson picked up where he left off and pitched the best season of his career on his way to the Rookie of the Year award. The right-hander worked to a 13-10 record and a 2.95 ERA through 29 starts. Regardless of losing his start in the 2011 ALDS against the Texas Rangers, the BBWAA recognized Hellickson’s rookie success.

Unfortunately, 2011 marked the peak of his career thus far as Hellickson struggled through the following five seasons. He finished his time in Tampa Bay 23-26 with an ERA as high as 5.17 in 2013. After signing a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015, Hellickson went 12-10 with a 3.71 ERA as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Accepting a one-year qualifying offer from the Phillies not only extends Hellickson’s career through 2017, but gives him another chance to bounce back to his rookie form.