Look Ahead: Rookies Of The Year

I have decided to have a look at the front-runners for the R.O.Y. awards for both leagues.

American League

Hitters

Evan Longoria - 3B - Tampa
Longoria has been Tampa's best player. Pena may have the prettiest numbers, but Longoria has been the back-bone of this team since his early season call-up. Playing 3rd base & filling a long-standing void for the Rays franchise, Longoria's success coinciding with Tampa Bay's is not a coincidence. He has been their MVP, and should be the winner of this award by a land slide. Hitting .281 with a .350 OBP, he has 25 HR & 82 RsBI. He also has 30 2B and has played great defence.

Alexi Ramirez - 2B - Chicago
Cuban defector Ramirez has been a shot in the arm for the Sox as they attempt to return to the playoffs. A .297 AVG with 20 HR and 72 RsBI have been surprises for the Sox. His power has been surprising to me and I would bet, due to pretty weak plate disapline, that this will be the best season of his career, Eric Hinske style.

Jacoy Ellsbury - OF - Boston
Ellsbury is probly the only hitter who could give Longoria a run with a hot couple of weeks. Hitting .269 with 49 steals, Elssbury has been a catalyst for the Sox most of the season. His defence has been great at all 3 positions, as well. Ellsbury has no real chance at challenging Longoria, but is the 2nd best option.

Honorable Mentions
Ben Fransisco - OF - Cleveland - .267 AVG. - 14 HR
David Murphy - OF - Texas - .275 AVG. - 15 HR - 74 RsBI
Mike Aviles - SS - Kansas City - .321 AVG. - 8 HR
Chris Davis - 1B/3B - Texas - 16 HR

Pitchers

Armando Galarraga - Starter - Detroit
Galarraga has been a bright spot in a pretty shitty Tigers rotation, and should get some consideration as the only starter to put up a really good ERA as a rookie. 12-6 with a 3.57 ERA has been a very plesent surprise for the disapointing Tigers this season. I don't think he has a shot at challenging Longoria, but he is the class of rookie pitchers.

Honorable Mentions
Brad Ziegler - Reliever - Oakland - 11 Saves - 0.78 ERA
Jesse Carlson - Reliever - Toronto - 7 W - 1.73 ERA
Jose Arredondo - Reliever - Los Angeles - 9 W - 1.59 ERA
Jim Johnson - Reliever - Baltimore - 2.22 ERA
Glen Perkins - Starter - Minnesota - 12 W
Nick Blackburn - Starter - Minnesota - 10 W
Joey Devine - Reliever - Oakland - 6 W - 0.63 ERA
Justin Masterson - Starter/Reliever - Boston - 6 W - 3.25 ERA

National League

Hitters

Geo Soto - C - Chicago
Soto has had a great season, for a rookie or a hitter, but especially for a rookie catcher. With all that catchers have to deal with, it has been amazing what Soto has been able to do offensively. A .286 AVG has been good, but his 23 HR & 86 RsBI have been sensational. His numbers should put him past Votto for best rookie hitter, his success along with his position will win him the award.

Joey Votto - 1B - Cincinatti
Canadian Votto has had a great season, with a .288 AVG with 21 HR & 77 RsBI. His numbers are very similar to Soto's, but 1B is much easier defensively. That is the factor between the two.

Honorable Mentions
Kosuke Fukudome - RF - Chicago - .360 OBP - 9 HR
Jay Bruce - OF - Cincinatti - 21 HR

Pitchers

Jair Jurrjens - Starter - Atlanta
Aquired in the terrible (for the Tigers) trade in the offseason, Jair has been great, with 13 wins and an ERA under 4. He could steal a few votes, but will probly finsh 3rd behind Soto & Votto, maybe finishing 2nd.

Honorable Mentions
Jorge Campillo - Starter - Atlanta - 8 W - 3.75 ERA
Cory Wade - Reliever - Los Angeles - 2.28 ERA
Hiroki Kuroda - Starter - Los Angeles - 9 W - 3.83 ERA
John Lannan - Starter - Washington - 9 W - 3.86 ERA
Johnny Cueto - Starter - Cincinatti - 9 W