Mark Trumbo: Why He's Hands Down the Best Rookie of the Year Candidate

Nearing the end of the season, it is always an interesting debate as to who should win the Rookie of the Year honors. 

This year it is almost a shoo-in for Mark Trumbo.  He is having a stellar season filling in for Kendrys Morales at 1B for the Los Angeles Angels, it almost makes you forget about how good Morales is.  Here are a few reasons why Mark Trumbo is hands down the best Rookie of the Year candidate.

Power Numbers

Trumbo leads all rookies with 23 home runs and 69 RBI.  His 23 home runs are also good for eighth at his position.  Additionally, Trumbo's 25 doubles are tops for the AL rookies.

Other Leading Stat Categories

The Angels first Baseman is tops for all AL rookies in runs scored with 51.  Trumbo also has eight stolen bases which is tops in the all the Majors for everyday first basemen.  He is no speedster, but he gets the job done from his first base position.

Clutch Against Division Rivals

Against the division leading Texas Rangers, Trumbo has been pretty clutch.  He is hitting .313 against them to go with two home runs and nine RBI in 13 games. 

This includes a dramatic walk-off home run last Friday to prevent Texas from stretching its lead to eight games in the AL West.  Additionally, against the division rival Seattle Mariners, he is hitting .325 with four home runs in only 12 games with an OPS of 1.022.  This proves that he can turn it on when he is needed in the clutch, just like a Rookie of the Year candidate should.

Clutch Down the Stretch

Trumbo has been downright nasty in the month of August. There were only five games this whole month that he didn't make it on base.  He has also added four home runs, five doubles, six multi-hit games and 14 RBI. 

Those are pretty great numbers for a rookie in a pennant race.

He Really Has No Competition

The only real competition Trumbo has for the AL for Rookie of the Year award is Desmond Jennings, but he has only played in 28 games.  Trumbo has played in 119 games.  Michael Pineda would have been a good choice, but he has fallen apart lately going only 1-1 with a 6.09 ERA in six post All-Star break starts.  

Teammate Jordan Walden is also a viable candidate, but he has nine blown saves on the season so that pretty much takes him out of the conversation. 

Overall, there really isn't any debate.  Mark Trumbo is hands down the Rookie of the Year for the American League.