Jason Heyward, Buster Posey, and the NL Rookie of the Year

I narrowed the National League MVP race down to two players, but though Gaby Sanchez had a terrific season for the Florida Marlins, narrowing down isn’t needed when it comes to the Rookie of the Year race. It is between Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey. And, rightfully so, it is one of the more ballyhooed, as convincing arguments can be made for both phenoms.

Heyward, 21, wasted little time making an impact in the major leagues. He was named their opening day right-fielder, and promptly hit a three-run homer in his first at-bat with the big club. Usually, pitchers figure hitters out, feast on their holes, and, as a result, averages and production plummet. But Heyward rarely struggled, consistently producing all year long for a Braves team that badly needed his offense.

He wowed the Turner Field fans and caught the eye of many on the road with his strong build, power to all fields, speed, and intelligence. He was not only one of the better rookies in the game, for a long while he was one of the best players in baseball.

He struck out 128 times, but that was his lone blemish. Despite the high strikeout total, his on-base percentage was .398, good for eighth in all of baseball, that OBP was largely due to the 91 walks he worked, a total that was also eighth in the majors.

His average was solid at .277, and he hit 18 homers, drove in 77 RBIs, had a rookie-high .456 slugging percentage, and saw more plate appearances than any other rookie (just over four). He hit .311 with runners on base, the same average with runners in scoring position, and even better with runners in scoring position with two out: .354 with a whopping .516 on-base percentage.

With all that said, how is there even any competition for the award? Heyward has been the Braves' Most Valuable Player this season, in my opinion. But it just so happens that Posey has been just as valuable, just over a shorter span.

Posey, 23, was drafted in 2008′s first round, and shot through the Giants farm system. Originally an infielder who played a little catcher at Florida State, the Giants converted him into a full-time catcher, a grueling position that cripples knees by the age of 40.

He already mastered the art of hitting; that was clear. But upon joining San Francisco it was also evident that he knew how to call a game, block balls, and throw out runners.

The Giants offense totes some good hitters: Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, Juan Uribe, Andres Torres, and Pablo Sandoval. But their offense wasn’t very prolific. Even with Posey in the lineup on an everyday basis—which began on June 30th, when he was named their starting catcher—the Giants struggled to support their tremendous pitching staff.

But he certainly helped, putting together the best month of July by anyone, according to those who decide the Player of the Month. He hit a ridiculous .417, with seven homers, 24 RBIs, 20 runs scored, and a .466 on-base percentage, while striking out only 13 times in 103 at-bats.

He only continued to hit in August and September, and finished the season leading all rookies with a .305 batting average. He also hit 18 home runs, drove in 67 RBIs, scored 58 times, and socked 124 hits.

And he did all this while tallying 114 less at-bats than Heyward. He has played in far less games than the likes of Heyward and Sanchez, but how his immediate production improved the Giants easily makes him one of the top-two candidates.

So, who wins: Posey or Heyward?

I’m going to have to take Heyward by the slimmest of margins. He has a greater body of work, having played a majority of the season, and has not only put up some of the best statistics among rookies, but also among the rest of the league.

His ability to get on base at such a prolific rate helped the Braves create so many runs, and his deliverance in the clutch also made him so valuable. Yet, though Heyward is my selection, Posey is only a percentage point behind on my ballot.

Posey was equally solid in pressure-packed situations, hitting .340 with runners on, and .312 when they are in scoring position. He also put up such splendid offensive numbers while having to call a game behind the plate. Putting down the right fingers, blocking balls in the dirt, and getting into and out of crouches is more demanding than shagging flies, running into walls, making leaping catches and attempting to throw out runners, at least in my mind.

With what both Heyward and Posey have done this season, both in the field and at the plate, it is safe to say that both are deserving. If the voters make them Co-ROY’s, that’s fine by me. I just picked a name out of the hat. It’s a crapshoot, really. Posey and Heyward were that good.

Honorable mention: Posey, Sanchez (19 homers, 85 RBIs), Jaime Garcia (13-8, 2.70 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals), Starlin Castro (.300 BA in 463 at-bats with the Chicago Cubs), and John Axford (24 saves, 2.48 ERA for Milwaukee Brewers)