MLB 2011: Top 10 AL Rookie of the Year Candidates

*FINAL Update

For the first time since Robinson Cano in 2005, my New York Yankees claim one of the American League's top ROY candidates!

Although the body type is similar, Nova was not forged in the Pineda mold. He doesn't strikeout out many hitters or even try to; he pitches to contact and thrives on getting grounders in the direction of the Yankee infielders. More than 50% of his outs are recorded on the ground.

Nova leads all MLB rookies in wins. That's pretty remarkable for someone who was sent down to the Minors for most of July and was given limited opportunities in a 6-man starting rotation upon returning. 

Since being recalled from AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre, Nova has had a sparkling strikeout-to-walk ratio while still throwing a mid-90s sinking fastball.

His near-4.00 ERA in 2011 doesn't adequately represent his performance. Making half his appearances in a hitter-friendly ballpark handicaps his stats the same way that Pineda benefits from his home field. 

Nova's sub-par performance at the beginning of the year cannot be forgotten, but there is plenty to be said about a guy who hasn't lost since June 3!

2011 Stats

W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
16	4	3.70	28	27	0	165.1	163	68	13	57	98

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	WHIP	BABIP
.254	1.33	.283

*Notable Notes: 6th among all AL pitchers in GB% . . . 16-3 as starter (best in MLB). 

10. Eduardo Nunez (INF): New York Yankees

Nunez is just a ton of fun to watch run. He put his speed to good use on the bases and tied for second among AL rookies in stolen bases.

He carried the bat well, too. Despite a early September slump, Nunez maintained a decent batting average and OPS. He also has great contact ability, a skill usually lacking in inexperienced players.

Watching him in the field, however, was like watching Wile E. Coyote handle explosives: you just know something will go wrong.

Nunez played five defensive positions—mostly third base and shortstop—and struggled mightily at all of them. His strong throwing arm can't compensate for his terrible hands. In fact, it is just as much of a problem.

His playing time was inconsistent with starting opportunities dependent on which Yankees were available.

2011 Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
112	309	338	38	82	119	18	2	5	30	22	37	22

2011 Stats (cont.)

AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
.265	.313	.385	.698

9. J.P. Arencibia (C): Toronto Blue Jays

Arencibia was the only AL rookie catcher to start the majority of his team's games.

He struck out constantly, especially after the All-Star Break. Once in every three at-bats since mid-July!

He provided serviceable defense, although a few too many passed balls. Opposing baserunners challenged him about once per start; Arencibia threw out nearly 25% of them.

Throughout the season, Arencibia proved to be a BIG swinger who'll sacrifice some points on his batting average to hit more bombs. I respectfully disapprove of that philosophy. Still, he made a powerful impression on the league.

2011 Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
129	443	486	47	97	194	20	4	23	78	36	136	1

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
.219	.282	.438	.720

8. Dustin Ackley (2B): Seattle Mariners

Ackley probably has the highest ceiling--the most potential--of any rookie position player.

His offensive skills are terrific. Pitcher-friendly Safeco Field doesn't concede many home runs, so Ackley settled for lesser extra-base hits.

Ackley didn't run a lot on the bases, nor play exceptional defense. However, I was impressed by his plate discipline. No other rookie with significant playing time had a better on-base percentage.

If he had hit in front of legitimate threats in the batting order, Ackley could have been a more attractive candidate. He would have seen more strikes, hence more pitches to square-up and hit hard. An earlier call-up would have also been beneficial.

2011 Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
90	333	376	39	91	139	16	7	6	36	40	79	6

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
.273	.348	.417	.766

*Notable Notes: 2nd overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft.

7. Jordan Walden (RHP): Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Jordan Walden is the closest match the American League has for my NL ROY favorite, Craig Kimbrel (but honestly, that's a big stretch).

Walden beginning closing very early in the season. His velocity (average fastball: 97.6 mph) was best among AL relievers and his occasional wildness was to be expected.

Walden allowed only three home runs all season. I'm sure the Angels' cavernous ballpark out in Anaheim kept that total down.

I give Walden some credit for being the only rookie closer in the AL this season, but he wasn't exactly Andrew Bailey or Neftali Feliz out there. His struggles against lefties contributed to 10 blown saves, an MLB-worst! That shocking total will deter the BBWAA from voting for him..

2011 Stats

W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
5	5	2.98	62	0	0	60.1	49	20	3	26	67

2011 Stats (Cont.)

SV	SVO	AVG	WHIP	BABIP
32	42	.217	1.24	.295

*Notable Notes: Walden's ERA against lefties was more than five times higher than ERA against righties.

6. Jemile Weeks (2B): Oakland Athletics

Of Major League pedigree (his brother Rickie is the starting second baseman in Milwaukee), Weeks had regular playing time with Oakland since being called up on June 7.

The switch-hitter doesn't have power from either side of the plate, yet he racked up plenty of extra-base hits with a little help from his legs. He led all first-year players in triples.

No other rookie with significant plate appearances finished above .300. I'd like to see him develop more plate discipline, but for now he can cover it up with raw hitting talent.

Jemile isn't quite as polished as his brother is at second base--good range but too many errors.

All we know is that Weeks—a former Miami Hurricane—has plenty of SWAG!

2011 Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
97	406	437	50	123	171	26	8	2	36	21	62	22

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
.303	.340	.421	.761

*Notable Notes: Leads all MLB rookies in hits since All-Star break . . . Weeks was teammates with active MLB players Ryan Braun, Jon Jay, Chris Perez and Gaby Sanchez on the 2005 Miami Hurricanes.

5. Michael Pineda (RHP): Seattle Mariners

Pineda was my AL ROY front-runner in early August, but a lot has changed.

Half way through the season, he matched up with the league's finest starters. I bragged about his alarming strikeout rate (which finished at about one per inning), teeny ERA and outstanding control.

However, Pineda didn't have a scoreless outing after late June! He wasn't attacking the strike zone as much or lasting as long.

Pitching half his games at Safeco helped his stats, but no rookie starter in the American League had a lower batting average against. Most incredibly, the last rookie pitcher with more strikeouts than Pineda? Kerry Wood in 1998!

I don't forsee him winning the award, yet I expect him to get some votes in a wide-open race.

2011 Stats

W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
9	10	3.74	28	28	0	171.0	133	71	18	55	173

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	WHIP	BABIP
.209	1.10	.258

*Notable Notes: Only pitched beyond seven innings twice this season . . . the tallest Latin American pitcher in the Major Leagues. 

4. Mark Trumbo (1B): Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Mark Trumbo makes a strong case for AL Rookie of the Year.

He led all AL freshmen in home runs, runs batted in, games played and plate appearances! He hit equally well against lefties or righties, at home and on the road.

Trumbo accomplished all of this while hitting in the heart of a generally weak batting order. Opposing pitchers stayed away from the middle of the plate with him digging in, knowing that he didn't have much protection. Still, he chased pitches and make solid contact. 

He played well at 1st base, sure-handed and well-positioned. His fellow infielders finished with relatively good fielding percentages, in large part because Trumbo saved them from would-be throwing errors with smooth picks on the other end.

His on-base percentage rarely touched .300. Walking more would have given his teammates more chances to drive in runs themselves.

Trumbo had an great debut season, but he wasn't at his best in September. The most outstanding AL rookies were.

2011 Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
149	539	573	65	137	257	31	1	29	87	25	120	9

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
.254	.291	.477	.768

*Notable Notes: Trumbo is a native of Anaheim . . . he has the fewest walks among qualifying MLB 1st basemen.

3. Ivan Nova (RHP): New York Yankees

For the first time since Robinson Cano in 2005, my New York Yankees claim one of the American League's top ROY candidates!

Nova didn't strikeout out many hitters or even try to; he pitched to contact and thrived on getting grounders in the direction of the Yankee infielders. More than 50% of his outs were recorded on the ground.

He led all MLB rookies in wins. That's pretty remarkable for someone who was sent down to the Minors for most of July and was given limited opportunities in a 6-man starting rotation upon returning. 

Since being recalled from AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre, Nova had a sparkling strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Making half his appearances in a hitter-friendly ballpark handicaps his stats the same way that Pineda benefited from his home field. 

Nova's sub-par performance at the beginning of the year cannot be forgotten, but there is plenty to be said about a guy who hasn't lost since June 3!

2011 Stats

W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
16	4	3.70	28	27	0	165.1	163	68	13	57	98

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	WHIP	BABIP
.254	1.33	.283

*Notable Notes: 6th among all AL pitchers in GB% . . . 16-3 as starter (best in MLB). 

2. Eric Hosmer (1B): Kansas City Royals

Although only 21 years old, Hosmer had a remarkable campaign. On the strength of a strong Post All-Star break performance, he launched himself into heavy consideration.

Hosmer ranked highly among rookies in every offensive category. He also led all MLB corner infielders--1st and 3rd basemen--in stolen bases since July. Including that speed, Hosmer is perhaps the closest that any AL rookie comes to being a 5-tool player.

Hosmer was patient at the plate and not likely to swing-and-miss. He was agile in the field with a strong throwing arm.

Few players in the American League had a better second half of the regular season.

2011 Stats

G	AB	PA	R	H	TB	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
128	523	563	66	153	243	27	3	19	78	34	82	11

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
.293	.334	.465	.799

1. Jeremy Hellickson (RHP): Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays' Jeremy Hellickson was quietly the best of the bunch in 2011.

He was king among AL rookie starters, their leader in innings pitched and ERA. He is the lone first-year pitcher to hurl a shutout, and his two complete games are as many as the rest of the rookie class COMBINED! 

Hellickson uses off-speed pitches frequently to compensate for an average fastball. Nearly one of every three pitches he throws is a changeup.

Actually, had Rays' management not opted for such a cautious approach when monitoring his usage, his numbers would likely mirror James Shields', the Comeback Player of the Year candidate on the periphery of the AL Cy Young discussion.

Team defense has a huge impact on a starting pitcher's stat line, and Hellickson--more than other rookies--is aided by the elite defenders behind him. That should be kept in mind. But with all things considered, he's my favorite in this race.

2011 Stats

W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
13	10	2.95	29	29	2	189.0	146	62	21	72	117

2011 Stats (Cont.)

AVG	WHIP	BABIP
.209	1.15	.223

*Honorable Mentions: Al Alburquerque (Detroit Tigers), Desmond Jennings (Tampa Bay Rays), Brett Lawrie (Toronto Blue Jays), Vinnie Pestano (Cleveland Indians), Josh Reddick (Boston Red Sox), Ben Revere (Minnesota Twins), Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) and Eric Thames (Toronto Blue Jays).