 Febles had a strong MLB rookie year in 1999, receiving early consideration as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, and displaying strong defensive skills.Febles and fellow rookie Carlos Beltrán were nicknamed "Dos Carlos" (two Carlos) in Kansas City.Through mid-June, Febles was batting .286; his hitting then cooled off, and he finished the season with a .256 average, as Beltrán went on to win the American League Rookie of the Year award.