Former American League Rookie of the Year Set to Hit Free Agent Market This Offseason
Former American League Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis is set to hit the free agent market after being non-tendered by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.
It's the latest in a string of unfortunate career happenings for Lewis, who was a former first-round pick of the Seattle Mariners.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com had the news on social media:
Former AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis has been non-tendered by the D-backs.
The 28-year-old Lewis was supposed to be a major building block of the Mariners' future and a huge part of their organizational rebuild, but he just hasn't been able to stay healthy.
He came up in 2019 and hit six home runs in 18 games for Seattle. He provided 13 RBI in that short stint at the big league level and then carried that momentum into the COVID 2020 season, winning Rookie of the Year.
In that 60-game season, he hit 11 homers and drove in 28, all while posting a .364 on-base percentage. But the trouble started the following year. He had knee issues for most of 2021 and played just 36 games.
In 2022, he dealt with more knee issues and a concussion, and played only 18 games.
He was traded by the Mariners to the Diamondbacks in the offseason prior to 2023 and played in just 16 games for them. He was not part of the D'Backs playoff roster in any series and hit just .157 with one homer and two RBI.
Given his age, prior accomplishments and past prospect pedigree, he should get another chance this season, but it may be on a minor league deal somewhere.
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