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MLB Awards Watch: Josh Donaldson, Todd Frazier mount charge

By Brad Rowland

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) doubles in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Rays won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) doubles in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Rays won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year

  1. Devon Travis, 2B Toronto Blue Jays – Travis has been on the disabled list for approximately ten days, but his season-long contributions are enough to keep him in the top spot for another week. Travis has put together an ultra-solid 132 wRC+ in 36 games, and beyond that, he has played sparkling defense at second base to fortify his position. It will be interesting to monitor any potential regression, but Toronto may have unearthed a gem here.
  2. Steven Souza, OF Tampa Bay Rays – It hasn’t been pretty, but Souza’s counting numbers are unassailable. The former Nationals prospect has 10 home runs and 7 stolen bases in only 188 plate appearances, and the raw tools are off the charts. Souza will be fighting against a terrifying 37.2% strikeout rate (yikes) that keeps his batting average low (.236), but provided he can keep a double-digit walk rate (11.7% currently) and bring the strikeouts down to a more reasonable rate, a 25-25 season is possible.
  3. Nate Karns, SP Tampa Bay Rays – Karns did not enter the 2015 season with a great deal of fanfare, but the 27-year-old continues to produce. The right-hander has strung together six consecutive starts while allowing two earned runs or fewer, and that has led to Karns posting a 3.32 overall ERA in ten starts. There are some peripheral concerns, but in a weak AL rookie class, he is the cream of the crop on the pitching side.

Next: NL Cy Young

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