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MLB Awards Predictions

By Brad Rowland

Mar 24, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout bats against the Texas Rangers in a spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout bats against the Texas Rangers in a spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Red Sox center fielder Rusney Castillo (38) hits a double during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Red Sox center fielder Rusney Castillo (38) hits a double during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year

  1. Rusney Castillo, OF Boston Red Sox – First things first, Castillo’s teammate Mookie Betts has been projected by many as a Rookie of the Year candidate, but he is ineligible. With that as the backdrop, Castillo easily has the best pedigree of the 2015 AL ROY candidates. Castillo is already 27 years old by nature of his professional play in Cuba, and with only Shane Victorino standing in the way of playing time, I’ll be aggressive in projecting 500+ plate appearances despite the fact that he’ll begin the season in the minors. He isn’t a major power hitter in the vein of Cuban imports Jose Abreu or even Yoenis Cespedes, but all indications are that Castillo will contribute offensively and defensively, and the Boston media market won’t hurt, either.
  2. Dalton Pompey,  OF Toronto Blue Jays – Pompey is the Opening Day centerfield option for the Blue Jays, and he is going to run wild. The 22-year-old is already a plus defender in the outfield, which is the main reason that he has the starting job, but Pompey also stole 44 bases across four levels in 2014, and if he can get on-base, there is no reason he can’t steal 30+ in the majors as a rookie. The power numbers won’t draw any comparisons to the sluggers in Toronto’s lineup, but if he starts all season, 25+ steals and solid peripherals should get consideration in the weaker AL field.
  3. Kendall Graveman, SP Oakland Athletics – Graveman isn’t a big-time MLB prospect by any stretch, but he has a full-fledged job in the Oakland rotation and the skills to take advantage of it. At 24, Graveman’s overall upside is fairly low given his lack of strikeout “stuff”, but young pitchers in Oakland have taken advantage of the ballpark’s dimensions for years and if he can post an ERA in the 3.00’s over a full season, the attention will follow. Fantasy owners already have Graveman on the radar given his lights-out Spring, but even with a slight downturn, he will be in the race.

Next: NL Cy Young

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