Somebody out there with an AL Rookie of the Year vote believed Daniel Palka to be the third-best first-year player in the Junior Circuit.
Palka finished tied for fifth in the vote, the results of which were announced Monday evening. Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani won the award, with second and third place going to a pair of New York Yankees infielders in Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres, respectively. Tampa Bay Rays infielder Joey Wendle finished fourth, ahead of Palka, who tied with another Ray, relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough.
Palka launched 27 home runs on the season, breaking out after he wasn't even on the Opening Day roster.