Article: Baseball Digest's 2002 All-Star rookie team: top first-year players in the majors last season include third baseman Eric Hinske of Toronto and pitcher Jason Jennings of Colorado.

IT WAS THE YEAR OF THE ROOKIE PITCHER EVEN THOUGH AN ample supply of position players, most notably Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Eric Hinske and Montreal Expos outfielder Brad Wilkerson stood out among newcomers to the big leagues in 2002.

Few seasons produce as many first-year pitchers with double-digit winning records as did the past campaign. Whatever the reason, whether an overall shortage of mound talent or a rash of injuries, it seemed as if far more rookie pitchers than customary were pressed into starting rotations in 2002 and responded successfully. Of course, the majority of newcomers began their big league careers as usual in the bullpen.

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