https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...dre-shinyashiki-wins-2019-att-mls-rookie-year Notable mainly because he came from a team that didn't even make the playoffs (thanks Hudson) and was a non-HG drafted player in a time where there isn't a ton of talent left in the draft.
He wasn't eligible since he played in USL last season. The rookie of the year award typically goes to non-home grown players since HG players typically play in USL before making it to MLS, making them ineligible for the award. MLS really needs to ditch the rookie of the year award and change it to an U23 or U20 player of the year award.
He was on the shortlist of 3.for the award. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/10/08/mls-2019-year-end-awards-finalists-revealed I think they are using homegrowns that are in their first season under contract as rookies. While Aaronson played with the Steel he wasn't doing it under contract until this year (I know he signed in September of last year but I'm not sure when that contract started since he wasn't MLS eligible until this year despite signing prior to the roster freeze).
I know in the past the RoY had to be someone in the first year of his first pro contract, but they may have adjusted that for USL HGs.
Well, at least they make a distinction between a "rookie" and the "Newcomer of the Year" award, which went to Carles Gil. In 2000, the Revs best player was Cate, a 27-year old Brazilian who had been a pro for maybe 9-10 years. This ee-jit writer kept referring to him as a "rookie" because it was his first year with the team and in MLS.