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MLB Awards Watch: Max Scherzer dominates the National League

By Brad Rowland

Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in the sixth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in the sixth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) celebrates with second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) celebrates with second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year

  1. Steven Souza, OF Tampa Bay Rays – Souza’s case is that he is putting up impressive counting stats. 12 home runs and 8 stolen bases at this stage puts him on a 20-20 pace, and that makes it easier to ignore a troublesome 34% strikeout rate. The pedigree is real for Souza, meaning that there could be better days ahead, but if he landed in the NL, Souza wouldn’t rank this highly.
  2. Trevor May, SP Minnesota Twins – May’s ERA is beginning to rebound at 4.26 on the season, and that paves the way for his ascension on this list. Minnesota’s rotation is always an adventure, but May has shown the ability to produce enough strikeouts (7.71 per 9 innings) with a minuscule walk rate (1.73 BB/9). I’m not sure that he is as good as his 3.16 FIP would indicate, but the bar is quite low and he has been a nice find.
  3. Devon Travis, 2B Toronto Blue Jays – Travis hasn’t appeared in an MLB game since May 16 as a result of a shoulder ailment, and he still lands among the top three rookies in this woeful class. That is, of course, not a slight of Travis, who has been tremendous (134 wRC+, 7 home runs in 146 PA) when he plays, but he can’t return soon enough. Fortunately, Toronto’s second baseman began a rehab assignment earlier in the week, and he should be back shortly.

Next: NL Cy Young

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