Pete Alons0 took Major League Baseball by storm in 2019, smashing 53 home runs and setting a new rookie record. The rest of his numbers were impressive as well, and if it weren’t for some guys names Yelich or Bellinger, Alonso could have garnered some serious MVP consideration.

Despite the massive power numbers Alonso put up in his impressive rookie campaign, it might surprise you that there are some other hitters whose freshman years make Alonso look like a polar bear cub. Some were recent, some were a long time ago, but all were impressive. Let’s take a look at the best offensive rookie seasons in baseball history, starting with Alonso himself and working our way backwards in time.

Pete Alonso (2019) – .260/.358/.583/.941, 155 H, 30 2B, 2 3B, 53 HR, 120 RBI, 103 R, 148 OPS+, 143 wRC+, 5.0 bWAR, 4.8 fWAR

Setting the all-time rookie record for home runs in a season is no easy feat, and it’s even more impressive when considering nobody in the MLB hit even close to as many home runs as him in 2019. While his .260 batting average is the lowest of this bunch, his respectable .358 OBP, outstanding .583 SLG%, and .941 OPS help cement his rookie season as one of the best all-time.

Aaron Judge (2017) – .284/.422/.627/1.049, 154 H, 24 2B, 3 3B, 52 HR, 114 RBI, 128 R, 171 OPS+, 174 wRC+, 8.1 bWAR, 8.3 fWAR

Playing in a very hitter-friendly ballpark, Judge put up monster numbers in his first season with the Yankees. Before Alonso broke his record, Judge’s 52 home runs was the most ever hit by a rookie. His 1.049 OPS and 174 wRC+ are impressive, and are solidified by his 8+ WARs. Judge also set the rookie record having struck out 208 times.

Mike Trout (2012) – .326/.399/.564/.963, 182 H, 27 2B, 8 3B, 30 HR, 83 RBI, 129 R, 49 SB, 168 OPS+, 167 wRC+, 10.5 bWAR, 10.1 fWAR

If you use WAR as your main evaluator, then Mike Trout’s rookie season is the best in 100 years – Especially considering he only played in 139 games. To register a 30-30 season in your rookie campaign is no small feat, and the only thing that stood in his way of winning the AL MVP was Miguel Cabrera hitting for the Triple Crown.

Ichiro Suzuki (2001) – .350/.381/.457/.838, 242 H, 34 2B, 8 3B, 8 HR, 69 RBI, 127 R, 56 SB, 126 OPS+, 124 wRC+, 7.7 bWAR, 6.0 fWAR

Rookie of the Year, All Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, Batting Title, and MVP. Coming to the MLB at the age of 27, Ichiro took the league by storm and put up massive numbers immediately, including 242 hits and 56 stolen bases. As well all know, he never slowed down, recording at least 200 hits in 10-straight seasons. 2001 was a Hall of Fame rookie class with Ichiro and the next fella bound to be first-ballot inductees.

Albert Pujols (2001) – .329/.403/.610/1.013, 194 H, 47 2B, 4 3B, 37 HR, 130 RBI, 112 R, 157 OPS+, 159 wRC+, 6.6 bWAR, 7.2 fWAR

“The Machine” burst onto the scene in 2001, sharing the spotlight with Ichiro as they both made their mark on the MLB. Playing first base, third base, and outfield, Pujols not only put up massive power numbers summed up in his .610 SLG%, but he also hit for average, knocking 194 hits in his rookie season. A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Pujols kept up his best-of-the-best production for 11 seasons, culminating in two World Series rings, one in 2006 and another in 2011.

Nomar Garciaparra (1997) – .306/.342/.534/.875, 209 H, 44 2B, 11 3B, 30 HR, 98 RBI, 122 R, 22 SB, 123 OPS+, 122 wRC+, 6.6 bWAR, 6.4 fWAR

“Nomah” had a fantastic rookie season, but got better every year for the next few years before becoming hampered by injuries. A Red Sox fan favorite, Garciaparra’s combination of power and speed not only earned him a 20-20 season, but a spot on the list of all-time best rookie seasons.

Mike Piazza (1993) – .318/.370/.561/.932, 174 H, 24 2B, 2 3B, 35 HR, 112 RBI, 81 R, 153 OPS+, 150 wRC+, 7.0 bWAR, 7.4 fWAR

It’s one thing to put up amazing offensive numbers in your rookie season, but it’s another to do it as a catcher. Piazza, the greatest hitting catcher of all time, was drafted in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft. What followed was a Hall of Fame career, beginning with a powerful rookie season. The second of five-straight Rookies of the Year churned out by the Dodgers, Piazza surely shines the brightest.

Mark McGwire* (1989) – .289/.370/.618/.987, 161 H, 28 2B, 4 3B, 49 HR, 118 RBI, 97 R, 164 OPS+, 157 wRC+, 5.1 bWAR, 5.1 fWAR

While McGwire cheated later in his career, his rookie season is widely considered to be steroid-free, so I will allow him onto this list. Only Pete Alonso and Aaron Judge have hit more home runs in a rookie season than McGwire, which does not take away from his very impressive 49 home runs which led the MLB.

Dick Allen (1964) – .318/.382/.557/.939, 201 H, 28 2B, 13 3B, 29 HR, 91 RBI, 125 R, 162 OPS+, 162 wRC+, 8.8 bWAR, 8.2 fWAR

Leading the league with 13 triples and 125 runs scored, Allen had an impressive rookie campaign. Playing third base for the Phillies, the “Wampum Walloper” had a propensity for not only getting on base, but scoring for his team. That, as well as his other statistics, culminated in very impressive WAR numbers.

Tony Oliva (1964) – .323/.359/.557/.916, 217 H, 43 2B, 9 3B, 32 HR, 94 RBI, 109 R, 12 SB, 150 OPS+, 148 wRC+, 6.8 bWAR, 6.2 fWAR

While Dick Allen won the ROY Award in the National League, Tony Oliva was busy winning the Award in the American League. The Twins right fielder led the league in runs, hits, doubles, total bases (374), and batting average. 1964’s rookie class of Oliva and Allen rivals 2001’s class of Pujols and Ichiro, and no other season really comes close.

Jackie Robinson (1947) – .297/.383/.427/.810, 175 H, 31 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 125 R, 29 SB, 112 OPS+, 115 wRC+, 3.1 bWAR, 3.5 fWAR

When looking at Jackie Robinson’s rookie statistics, one must keep in mind the immense pressure he was under. When considering that, his objectively impressive numbers impress even more. Leading the league in steals and sacrifice hits (28), Robinson earned the Rookie of the Year Award – The first ever given.

Ted Williams (1939) – .327/.436/.609/1.045, 185 H, 44 2B, 11 3B, 31 HR, 145 RBI, 131 R, 160 OPS+, 156 wRC+, 6.7 bWAR, 7.1 fWAR

Considered by many to be the greatest hitter of all time, Williams started his career as strong as anyone, posting a .609 SLG% and driving in 145 runs – The most ever by a rookie. His future teammate Walt Dropo came close in 1950, driving in 144. If he hadn’t missed three years due to military service in World War II, and missing most of 1952 and 1953 due to injuries, Williams would have had well over 3,000 hits and 600 home runs in his career.

Hal Trosky (1934) – .330/.388/.598/.987, 206 H, 45 2B, 9 3B, 35 HR, 142 RBI, 117 R, 150 OPS+, 143 wRC+, 5.5 bWAR, 5.4 fWAR

The lefty first baseman burst onto the scene in 1934, hitting both for power and average. He was a major run producer for the Indians, driving in 142 and scoring 117 himself. He had an impressive albeit short career which included a season in which he had 216 hits, 42 home runs, and 162 RBIs.

Shoeless Joe Jackson (1911) – .408/.468/.590/1.058, 233 H, 45 2B, 19 3B, 7 HR, 83 RBI, 126 R, 41 SB, 193 OPS+, 184 wRC+, 9.2 bWAR, 9.3 fWAR

Playing for the Cleveland Naps, Shoeless Joe was wide awake in his rookie season, putting up, in my opinion, the best rookie season ever. He hit over .400, had a .590 SLG%, and stole 41 bases. The only category he led the league in was OBP, as Ty Cobb hit .419 that season, even topping Jackson’s 19 triples with 24 of his own, and topping Jackson’s 233 hits with 248. If it weren’t for The Georgia Peach, Jackson’s incredible rookie season would be getting a lot more attention.