In his first MLB season , Darvish finished third in the American League ( AL ) Rookie of the Year balloting .
He was considered by many to be the best pitcher in Japanese professional baseball prior to his arrival in Major League Baseball in 2012 .
In his first Major League Baseball season , Darvish finished third in the American League ( AL ) Rookie of the Year balloting .
He was considered by many to be the best pitcher in Japanese professional baseball prior to his arrival in Major League Baseball in 2012 .