It was a very close race for AL Rookie of the Year. Now, vote on who you think will win the NL version of the award. (Remember, who will win, not who should win.)
| Clint Barmes |  3 (2.46%) |
| Wilson Betemit | 1 (0.82%) |
| Blaine Boyer | 1 (0.82%) |
| Zach Duke | 17 (13.93%) |
| Jeff Francoeur | 77 (63.11%) |
| Ryan Howard | 16 (13.11%) |
| Gary Majewski | 1 (0.82%) |
| Robinson Tejeda | 3 (2.46%) |
| Other (please specify) | 3 (2.46%) |
122 votes | 10 featured comments
Apologies to nobody, since I had a hard time even coming up with 8 candidates. There's even someone here who I have never heard of from any baseball source, ever, in my life.
The good ones have not played anywhere close to enough to deserve rookie of the year and the ones who have played enough... slim pickings, so I chose Majewski.
Francoeur is my guy - other candidates not making the cut here would include Jeff Francis and Brad Hawpe of Colorado, Lance Niekro of San Francisco, Rickie Weeks of Milwaukee.
It's at least possible that both ROY winners will not even have made the Batter's Box final ballots -- Weeks is having a nice year and has the "hot prospect" tag and pub, while Cano has the whole New York thing going for him.
I'm waiting for Michael Kay and John Sterling to start tossing "Rookie of the Year candidate" next to his name every time they mention him, or in Sterling's case, maybe "Obvious choice for AL Rookie of the Year."
If Cano hits a couple of dramatic homers and the Yankees make the playoffs, he's a lock to win.
I'm waiting for Michael Kay and John Sterling to start tossing "Rookie of the Year candidate" next to his name every time they mention him, or in Sterling's case, maybe "Obvious choice for AL Rookie of the Year."
If Cano hits a couple of dramatic homers and the Yankees make the playoffs, he's a lock to win.
Mags, don't you mean that Francoeur is close to your coeur? I still think that his line after 600 PAs is going to read .270/.310/.460, but combining that with his excellent defence gives you one fine package.
Surprised not to see Garrett Atkins on the list. 285/356/416 with the highest RBI total for NL rookies at 67 (leads by 21). and leads NL rookies in walks at 45. OK, he does play in Colorado. However, voters tend to miss that and they tend to love RBI's thus Atikins has a real shot imo, thus my 'other' vote. Me personally? I'd probably look closer at Jeff Francoeur and Ryan Howard depending on how both finish. Limited playing time means their averages could go anywhere in the last month.
Looking at pitching I was surprised at Zach Duke from Pittsburgh. 10 starts with a 1.81 ERA (6 W 0 L). Wow. Sadly called up way too late to win the ROY but nice start I'd say and with a killer finish I'd look at voting for him.
Pitching leaders are weird. Yhency Brazoban has 21 saves with just 4 blown and he also has 7 holds (Batista has 27 saves and 6 blown with no holds for comparison), no other NL rookie has 4 saves. But he also has a 5.80 ERA! #2 in saves is another Dodger, Steve Schmoll with a 6.10 ERA (3 saves). #3 in saves has 2 - David Cortes who pitches in Colorado but has a 3.38 ERA over 42 2/3 IP. Weird - LA Dodgers with high ERA's and a Rockie with a low one. All other rookie pitches have 1 or 0 saves. Jeff Francis in Colorado has a 12-11 record (most Wins) but has a 5.86 ERA. Gary Majewski has pitched great (2.88 ERA over 72 IP with 21 holds and zero saves) but middle relievers don't win awards, they just sneak into All-Star Games.
Looking at pitching I was surprised at Zach Duke from Pittsburgh. 10 starts with a 1.81 ERA (6 W 0 L). Wow. Sadly called up way too late to win the ROY but nice start I'd say and with a killer finish I'd look at voting for him.
Pitching leaders are weird. Yhency Brazoban has 21 saves with just 4 blown and he also has 7 holds (Batista has 27 saves and 6 blown with no holds for comparison), no other NL rookie has 4 saves. But he also has a 5.80 ERA! #2 in saves is another Dodger, Steve Schmoll with a 6.10 ERA (3 saves). #3 in saves has 2 - David Cortes who pitches in Colorado but has a 3.38 ERA over 42 2/3 IP. Weird - LA Dodgers with high ERA's and a Rockie with a low one. All other rookie pitches have 1 or 0 saves. Jeff Francis in Colorado has a 12-11 record (most Wins) but has a 5.86 ERA. Gary Majewski has pitched great (2.88 ERA over 72 IP with 21 holds and zero saves) but middle relievers don't win awards, they just sneak into All-Star Games.
"Francoeur is my guy - other candidates not making the cut here would include Jeff Francis and Brad Hawpe of Colorado, Lance Niekro of San Francisco, Rickie Weeks of Milwaukee."
Can Weeks still be a ROY candidate even if he played 2 years ago with Milwaukee as well?
Can Weeks still be a ROY candidate even if he played 2 years ago with Milwaukee as well?
Can Weeks still be a ROY candidate even if he played 2 years ago with Milwaukee as well?
Yes. He only played 7 games, 12 at bats. A position player loses his eligibility after 130 at bats or more than 45 days on the active roster, while the active limit is 25 (September service doesn't count against the service time eligibility, although the at bats do.)
If Cano hits a couple of dramatic homers and the Yankees make the playoffs, he's a lock to win.
Mick, I actually think the perceived influence of the New York media on award races is overblown. It's a small, small advantage at best. Hentgen over Pettitte and Berroa over Matsui should put this myth to rest.
Gammons, who's certainly more influential than John Sterling and Michael Kay, has already declared Huston Street to be a "lock" for the award. Cano? No way.
Mick, I actually think the perceived influence of the New York media on award races is overblown. It's a small, small advantage at best. Hentgen over Pettitte and Berroa over Matsui should put this myth to rest.
Gammons, who's certainly more influential than John Sterling and Michael Kay, has already declared Huston Street to be a "lock" for the award. Cano? No way.