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MLB Awards Watch: Can Kris Bryant catch Joc Pederson?

By Brad Rowland

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) signs an autograph prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Miami won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) signs an autograph prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Miami won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza (20) watches his game tying two run home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the Rays 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza (20) watches his game tying two run home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the Rays 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year

  1. Steven Souza, OF Tampa Bay Rays – There are warts on his profile, but if Steven Souza maintains a 30-20 pace for an entire season, there is almost no chance that he fails to win Rookie of the Year honors. Through 79 games, Souza has 15 home runs and 10 stolen bases despite a 35% (!) strikeout rate, and thanks to a 10.4% walk rate, he has been able to maintain an OBP that falls within at least respectable parameters. Make no mistake, Souza’s statistical production can be picked apart, especially by advanced metrics, but raw numbers matter in a race like this, and the absence of a no-doubt candidate in opposition aids his case.
  2. Devon Travis, 2B Toronto Blue Jays – Travis was the early leader (by a wide margin) in this category, and now that he is back from injury, Toronto’s second baseman is firmly in the mix. Travis doesn’t boast one singularly defining skill, but he has a .292/.344/.494 slash line (131 wRC+) in 46 games, and that is good for the AL lead in fWAR (1.7) among AL position players. He’s pretty good.
  3. Carlos Correa, SS Houston Astros – I’m breaking all sorts of rules by recognizing a player who has appeared in only 26 games, but Correa has been off the charts. In fact, he is second only to Travis in cumulative fWAR (1.5) at this point, with 7 home runs to go with a 152 wRC+ in 117 plate appearances. It isn’t only offense with Correa, either, as he is already a top-flight defender, and in simple terms, he profiles as the next great MLB shortstop.

Next: NL Cy Young

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