Rookie Watch Pt.2

Every year when the snow melts and MLB camps begin to open up, there is always a buzz about who will take home the ROY hardware, who's the next 'can't miss' prospect coming through the ranks? While this year didn't boast a Strasburg, Posey or Feliz, it definitely has had it's share of deserving candidates. For the record, it's worth noting that in the AL, 4 of the previous 6 ROY winners have been pitchers and some good ones at that (Verlander and Feliz to name a couple). In the NL a pitcher hasn't won since 2003 when Dontrelle Willis won and we all know how that turned out. Coincidentally the previous year 2002 a pitcher also took home the NL ROY, Jason Jennings... who? The NL track record hasn't been the greatest for ROY pitchers. However I believe that is all changing.



It's been awhile since I did the rookie update but here goes, first with the National League.

Danny Espinosa, WSH
364 AB / 86 Hits / 17 HR / 55 RBI / .236 BAA / .324 OBP

- Espinosa is not only tied for his team lead in HR and RBI, but is also leading all rookies with his 55 RBI. He is currently tied for second in stolen bases on his team as well.

Freddie Freeman, ATL
357 AB / 100 Hits / 15 HR / 51 RBI / .280 BAA / .353 OBP

- Freeman is leading all rookies with 100 hits and his .353 OBP is also tops amongst rookies. Freeman is second on the Braves in BAA and round trippers.

Darwin Bailey, CHC
324 AB / 97 hits / 1 HR / 34 RBI / .299 BAA / .329 OBP

- Barney is quietly putting together an excellent rookie campaign leading all rookies in batting average.

Dillon Gee, NYM
9-3 record / 100 IP / 3.75 ERA / 65 k's / 42 ER allowed

Gee is tied for first amongst rookies in wins with 9, which puts him second on his team behind Niese. Gee hasn't been as sharp his past few starts, perhaps the dog days of summer are starting to show.

Craig Kimbrel, ATL
3-2 record / 50 IP / 31 saves in 36 SVO / 2.16 ERA / 79 k's

Kimbrel has been outstanding for the Braves this year, tied for first in MLB with 31 saves. His 79 punchouts are good for first amongst closers as well.

It will be tough to select a winner and I'm sure by the end of the season these stats will be quite a bit different, for better or worse. Notables left off the list that were part of the early buzz... Brandon Belt - never really got it going and ended up being sent down. He's since returned but will likely not get his name in the mix by the end of the season. Aroldis Chapman was a huge favorite for ROY but his control issues led to a return to the minors and while he's returned the buzz hasn't.

Mark Trumbo, LAA
347 AB / 89 hits / 19 HR / 54 RBI / .256 BAA / .298 OBP

- Trumbo certainly got off to a slow start but has been crushing the ball lately. He leads all rookies with 19 HR. Look for big things from the middle of the Angels line up should Morales come back healthy next year.

JP Arencibia, TOR
287 AB / 63 hits / 17 HR / 48 RBI / .220 BAA / .283 OBP

- what's crazy about these numbers is that he has only had 287 AB, that's 60 less than Trumbo who leads all rookies in HR. Arencibia's numbers put him 2nd amongst catchers in HR and 4th in RBIs.

Eric Hosmer, KC
301 AB / 86 hits / 10 HR / 45 RBI / .286 BAA / .336 OBP

- Hosmer had a much anticipated debut and has not disappointed. Hosmer will be a five tool stud one day. If KC could ever play up to potential, look out.

Jeremy Hellickson, TB
9-7 record / 115.2 IP / .327 ERA / 77 k's / 42 ER allowed

- Hellickson has been great for the Rays this year. Being a rookie pitcher in the AL East is no easy task just ask Drabek or Britton. However Hellickson has kept his ERA low and also has a complete game shutout under his belt. Hellickson has a 5-2 record against AL East teams with a 3.21 ERA.

Michael Pineda, SEA
8-7 record / 123.2 IP / .364 ERA / 123 k's / 50 ER allowed

- Pineda has been one of the few bright spots on the Mariner's lowly season. He leads all rookies with his 123 punchouts as well as total innings pitched. Big things from Pineda for years to come.


The big difference this time around for the rookie watch is no Drabek and no Britton. Both players were off to solid starts and then the wheels just fell off. Drabek is unlikely to return seeing how his troubles have continued in AAA and Britton is back up with the Orioles but perhaps too little too late for ROY contention.

I really think that Freeman is the guy for the National League ROY, the only player that may steal it from him is his teammate Craig Kimbrel. Either way the Braves will likely be taking home some ROY hardware. As for the American League, I'd have to go with Mark Trumbo. However, I'd say it's still wide open, a much tighter race than the NL. This year's group of rookies has been great, not as flashy perhaps as last years, but it's not all about the flash. I look forward to see how the rest of the year shakes down. The dog days of summer are usually where season's begin to fall apart for some guys, and other guys come back to earth.

Thanks for reading