Jonathan India is the new face of the Cincinnati Reds

Jonathan India won the National League Rookie of the Year Award last night after a terrific 2021 season. India is the new face of the Cincinnati Reds.

No, I'm not ready to bury Joey Votto. The team's first baseman is still the most recognizable player on the Reds.

But, after watching India perform this season, it's obvious that the 24-year-old will be the one to lead the Cincinnati Reds franchise into the future.

Jonathan India is the new face of the Reds.

India fell one vote shy of being just the second Reds player in team history to be a unanimous choice for the NL Rookie of the Year. Thanks, Dan Szymborski.

The University of Florida alum hit .269/.376/.459 with 21 round trippers and 69 RBIs. India also swiped 12 bags and scored 98 runs.

But it's more than just stats that will elevate India to the level of being the face of the franchise. India has style and toughness to go along with his fantastic on-the-field performance.

Being the face of the franchise isn't just centered around production. In fact, I'd argue that for a period of time, despite Joey Votto being the best player on the Reds, Brandon Phillips was the face of the franchise.

Phillips had charisma and style to go along with a smile that could light up a room. India, while not as flashy as Phillips, has a similar type of makeup.

Where Phillips liked to draw attention to himself with highlight reel plays on the diamond, there's a smooth and confident manner with which Jonathan India carries himself.

That type of relaxed demeanor is the exact opposite of Phillips, but it resonates with fans nonetheless.

More than his calm attitude and long-flowing hair, Jonathan India's toughness stood out just as much as his performance on the field.

There were several moments throughout the 2021 season when you saw India get plunked by a pitch or go diving after a ball, only to come up wincing in pain.

But the resolute rookie never surrendered and, after a quick trip to the clubhouse, kept putting himself back into the lineup.

These types of heroics will charm the fans throughout Cincinnati and the Reds faithful will continue to gravitate toward India.

The defining moment for me during Jonathan India's 2021 campaign, though it came in defeat, was his ninth inning home run off Mark Melancon at Petco Park on June 17th.

Though the Reds lost by a score of 6-4, India's two-run homer put Cincinnati on top 4-2 with two outs in the ninth inning. India swung at the first pitch he saw and crushed it to left field.

Look for a whole lot more in the future from Jonathan India, who is the new face of the Cincinnati Reds franchise.