Historic rookie seasons by Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa

When it comes to similarities between the pair of American League Rookie of the Year frontrunners, Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor and Houston’s Carlos Correa, one could tick off more than a few boxes. Both, of course, play the same position, were drafted in the first round, have similar triple-slash lines – Lindor finished the year with a .313/.353/.482 mark through 99 games and Correa batted a .279/.345/.512 through his first 99 games – and, of course, they share the same position.

But perhaps the most intriguing connection – one in which ties the rookies to two Hall of Famers – between the 21-year-old Lindor and the 20-year-old Correa is the rarefied company each is keeping following their dominant rookie performances.

Consider the following:

Using Baseball Reference’s Play Index, only one other 21-year-old shortstop since the start 1920 has appeared in at least 80 games during his rookie season while accruing at least 3.5 wins above replacement and an OPS+ above 100: 'Iron Man' Cal Ripken Jr.

And once again, using BR’s Play Index, only one other 20-year-old shortstop since 1920 has appeared in 80 games during his rookie season while totaling at least 3.5 wins above replacement and an OPS+ above 100: Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan.

Interesting enough, but let’s expand the criteria in each situation a bit; let’s look at rookies at any position.

In Lindor’s case there have been 16 other 21-year-olds. But it’s not the fact it remains a rather exclusive club, but look at where the budding superstar’s WAR total ranks all time among 21-year-old rookies:

Tenth out of 16 – obviously impressive enough, but let’s delve a little deeper. Let’s look at the above group’s average WAR per game:

Lindor, in fact, has averaged the most wins above replacement last season than any other 21-year-old rookie with at least 80 games played, 100 OPS+, and 3.5 WAR since 1920. Now let’s apply the same for Correa. First, Correa’s place in history based solely on his WAR total:

That’s some pretty hefty company to keep. But it should be pointed out Correa posted a higher OPS+ and WAR total than one of the game’s greatest – if not greatest – all-around players, Willie Mays. And now where Houston’s budding superstar ranks on a WAR/Game basis:

Sixth best of all-time, topping four of the game’s best players in Bench, Mays, Alomar, and Vaughan. So, regardless of which player wins the AL Rookie of the Year – and let’s be honest, it’s clearly a two-man race – the young shortstops are clearly starting their careers off on the right path.

Joe Werner is a contributor to Beyond the Box Score. All statistics courtesy of FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference. For more analysis check out Joe Werner's site: ProspectDigest.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @JoltinJoey.