Hollandsworth got off to a slow start in . An 0-for-3 performance against the rival San Francisco Giants on April 16 punctuated a 1-for-25 slump that saw his batting average drop to a season low .111. From there, Hollandsworth went on a tear. He went twelve for his next 25 to raise his batting average to .288. He hit his first home run of the season on May 11, and like his first home run the previous season, a second home run followed in the same game. For the season, he led all NL rookies in hits (139), doubles (26), home runs (tied with Jermaine Dye, 12), RBIs (59) and stolen bases (21) on his way to winning NL Rookie of the Year honors. While the Dodgers were swept in three games by the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 National League Division Series, Hollandsworth had an excellent series. He went 4-for-12 with three doubles.