Rookie of the Year

The Rookie of the Year award was also won in a landslide by Kris Krstich. However, like the pitcher of the year award the margin of victory does not diminish the contributions by the other Cubs rookies in 2008. The 2008 rookier crop for the Cubs was probably one of the best group of players the team has ever had.

Krsitch won the award not only based on his pitching strength (see Pitcher of the Year writeup for stats) but also his hitting and fielding. When he wasn't pitching Krstich was the team's primary first basemen but also had the ability to move to the outfield when needed. Krstich hit .303 with a .409 OBP. He drove in 22 runs, scored 18 times and walked 18 times as well.

The other rookies included Steve Gordon (see Pitcher of the Year writeup for stats), Matt Cook and Jimmy Roehm. Cook came to the team as a utility player who could play the infield, outfield and catcher and the Cubs used him in every one of those capacities throughout the year. Cook also gave the Cubs speed as he stole 14 bases in 23 games played. Cook also scored 22 times and had a .395 OBP. Roehm started the year as a back for the Cubs but quickly proved he deserved some playing time. However, after playing in only 9 games Roehm tore his labrum diving back to a bag and was out for the rest of the year. In his time though Roehm hit .348 with 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 7 runs scored and a .444 OBP.

Past winners of the Rookie of the Year award include: Steve Girodat, Jon VanSon, Adam Kline, Jason Rider and Yuki Minigawa.