Today’s topic takes a look at the top rookies so far this year and which players seem to be the front runners for the Rookie of The Year. This early in the season it is really hard to tell, but I will give it a shot. Please feel free to disagree and make a case for your guy. (Thanks to Steve from PIT for contributing to this article).
NL
1. P Ben McDonald (STL) 5-0 W/L 1.22 ERA 44.1 IP 38 K 7/5 S/QS
McDonald has not only been one of the best rookies so far, he has been one of the best pitchers so far in the NL. He is the main reason the Cardinals are winning their division and appear to be a lagitimate playoff contender.
2. RF Bobby Abreu (PIT) .287 AVG 14 HR 38 RBI
Abreu is the second player on this list to find himself on a new team just a few months before he made his rookie debut. Abreu has the phisical gifts to make him a stud power hitter that maintains a high average as well. Will we see hit true colors his rookie year?
3. CF Johnny Damon (SD) .288 AVG 5 HR 12 RBI 11 SB
Damon has been just what the doctor ordered, or at least what Padre fans wanted in a leadoff hitter. In the early going, he is hitting above .300 and is on pace for close to 50 stolen bases.
4. P Bart Johnson (COL) 2-1 W/L 3.60 ERA 45.0 IP 46 K 7/5 S/QS
Johnson is fooling many a batter so far with a good slider. Thus far, he has outperformed teammates Dontrelle Willis and Jack Fischer to help keep his club close to .500.
5. RF Cliff Floyd (STL) .305 AVG 6 HR 19 RBI 5 SB
It was a difficult choice to put Floyd here instead of Turkey Stearns, but in the end, Floyd has produced better on the field and has better ratings (this season). Floyd is another of the talented rookies on the Cardinals who has a shot at winning the NL ROY.
AL
1. P Tom Glavine (MIN) 6-0 W/L 2.05 ERA 44 IP 59 K 6/5 S/QS
Glavine, like McDonald, is apparently not trying to with the rookie of the Year Award, but the Cy Young! Glavine has been spectacular in his first month and a half pitching for the Twins and is pitching the best out of a staff that looks like a hall of fame ballot. Need I say more?
2. P Tomo Okha (SEA) 4-3 W/L 3.42 ERA 55.1 IP 49 K 8/6 S/QS
Ohka has made a nice contribution to the solid start of the Mariners. His sinkerball and tremendous control should keep him in a lot of ball games.
3. OF Jeromy Burnitz (BOS) .295 AVG 4 HR 15 RBI
Burnitz has been unable to find his homerun stroke. However, he is hitting close to .300, and is proving that he is a serious threat.
4. 1B Mike Glavine (TOR) .270 AVG 7 HR 16 RBI
Glavine is off to a nice start for the Blue Jays. He’s showing that he can hit for power and is very patient at the plate, allowing him to get on base frequently.
5. P Cal Loftus (OAK) 3-3 W/L 3.31 ERA 51.2 IP 21 K 7/6 S/QS
Loftus has been a pleasant surprise for the A’s. While not overpowering, he has been steady and solid. Already, he has amassed 2 complete games, and leads the team in innings pitched.
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6 comments:
I think I speak for all of my other AL colleagues when i say we take great offense to that AL comment :)
Heck - if the Rockies are pitching like an AL team (oh wait - I'm supposed to hate that comment now aren't I lol) then I'm pitching like a minor league team!
I wonder how Roy Halladay will do. He probably won't get any ROY props because of his "team" that he's on, but hopefully he'll be as solid as some of these guys in ERA (he won't have the wins).
two words
FRANK CASTILLO
Ok guys, tell me what you think.
Is it easier for a pitcher to win the ROY or a hitter?
I think that it is easier for a hitter to succeed his rookie year because hitters develop faster. However, if a hitter and a pitcher are both doing great as rookies...I'm voting for the pitcher. I've give them the nod because I think pitching is more valuable.
So who is it easier to with the ROY as, a hitter or pitcher?
I say batters because people are usually to anxious with pitchers and bring them up to quickly. That being said it looks like both the AL and NL will have ROY pitchers.
I think that 2B Almonte also should be under consideration... batting avg 0.311, 35 runs, 8 2bs, 19 RBIs, 5 steals
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