Rookie eligibility question

C

Carolina Kid

High School Draftee
Having a debate with a friend and hope the board can clear it up for us. In the MLB rules section it states the following about a rookie's eligibility:

Determining rookie status:

A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/rules_regulations.jsp

He says the innings/at-bats are cumulative over the course of several seasons and not reset. So if a rookie stays under the cut-off by one last year but exceeds that cutt-off on the first day this year he would no longer be a rookie. I'm saying that it's not cumulative and that he would need to go through the entire 130 at-bats/50 innings/45 days on the roster again to not be considered a rookie the following. Anyone have any insight into this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
I'm almost 100% positive it's cumulative despite how I can see some confusion on the wording.
 
It is indeed cumulative. If a player racked up 129 at-bats in 2013 he is indeed a rookie in 2014 and eligibility for rookie of the year. If a player racks up any total of 129 in 2 or 3 previous years he is still a rookie in 2014. Same with pitchers and the 50 IP limit.
 
Would love to see some examples of some guys losing eligibility because of cumulative play. I can't think of any off the top of my head because it's so rare.
 
zitothebrave said:
Would love to see some examples of some guys losing eligibility because of cumulative play. I can't think of any off the top of my head because it's so rare.
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not for guys that matter. you'll have your random AAAA fodder that can take a couple of years before they are no longer rookies but who cares about them. And it's interesting that it says at bats and not plate appearances. Since Rolen had exactly 130 ABS in 96 (but quite a bit more plate appearances) yet went on to win the ROY the following year.
 
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