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MLB Awards Watch: David Price, Dallas Keuchel in two-way battle for AL Cy Young

By Brad Rowland

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches against Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches against Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) poses for a selfie with a fan prior to the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) poses for a selfie with a fan prior to the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Rookie of the Year

  1. Kris Bryant, 3B Chicago Cubs – At this point, Bryant isn’t going to be caught. That isn’t exactly breaking news, but Chicago’s star third baseman has put together a tremendous debut campaign in which he leads all rookies with 26 home runs to go along with a .281/.372/.502 slash line (139 wRC+). On top of that, he has been an above-average defender to boot. It’s unusual for a late-arriving rookie to post an fWAR north of 6.0, but that is what Bryant has done and his lead in this category is quite comfortable.
  2. Matt Duffy, IF San Francisco Giants – Duffy reached double-digits in both home runs (11) and stolen bases (11) while playing above-average defense at a variety of infield positions on a good team. Not bad, huh? Virtually nothing was expected of Duffy coming into the season, but he has emerged as a very nice player (4.6 fWAR) that the Giants can bank on as a member of their core moving forward.
  3. Noah Syndergaard, SP New York Mets – Syndergaard has been locked in a battle with Cincinnati’s Anthony DeSclafani for best rookie pitcher honors, but despite a smaller body of work New York’s talented right-hander has been the more impressive hurler. In 23 starts (and 143 innings), Syndergaard has posted a very solid 3.34 ERA (3.27 FIP), and he has struck out more than a batter per inning (9.82 K/9) while keeping his walk rate (1.89 BB/9) more than manageable. His debut has been lost in the shuffle due to a stable of quality youngsters for the Mets, but Syndergaard has been lights-out.

Next: AL Rookie of the Year

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