Jonathan India just keeps giving Cincinnati more to love.
The esteemed Baseball Writers' Association of America announced its annual awards finalists on Monday, and the Cincinnati Reds' second baseman is among them. India is one of three National League candidates for the 2021 Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, which goes to one outstanding newer player in each Major League Baseball league every year (one player in the American League also will win).
For the National League Rookie title, India is competing against Dylan Carlson of the St. Louis Cardinals and Trevor Rogers of the Florida Marlins. Winners for Rookie of the Year as well as other major awards such as Manager of the Year, Cy Young and MVP are expected to be announced next week.
The Reds congratulated India on social media upon the Nov. 8 announcement of the candidates.
India already has been named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News, thanks to his amazing play for the Reds during the 2021 season. From the Sporting News' writeup:
India's 2021 season showed that he's developing into a complete offensive player. He popped 21 home runs and got on base at a .376 clip, which led all qualified MLB rookies, and his .835 OPS was tops among National League rookies with at least 300 plate appearances.
On defense, he led all National League second basemen with 269 putouts and finished second in assists. It all added up to nearly 4 wins above replacement, which left the Reds and their fans excited about India's future.
India also has been named the National League's Outstanding Rookie in the MLB Players Choice Awards. Players within each Major League Baseball league vote on those honors.
The Major League Baseball Players Association wrote:
The former Florida Gator was taken fifth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, and shot through the Cincinnati Reds’ system quickly before his debut in April 2021. Providing stability to the Reds’ lineup with a .383 OBP while batting first in the order, Jonathan India led all qualified rookies in OBP (.376), walks (71), doubles (34) and runs scored (98). He was the first Reds rookie to have 20 home runs and 10 steals in a season since Bernie Carbo in 1970.
In October, Baseball America named India as its Rookie of the Year. Along with Reds teammates Joey Votto, Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker, India is up for MLB's Silver Slugger Award, which will be announced Nov. 11.
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