Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Jordan Zimmermann shines in Detroit

By Brad Rowland

Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Apr 25, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Byung Ho Park (52) at bat during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Byung Ho Park (52) at bat during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year

  1. Byung-ho Park, 1B Minnesota Twins – Much like Kenta Maeda in the NL, Park isn’t exactly the traditional ROY candidate in that he is nearly 30 (!) years old. Still, Minnesota’s prized offseason acquisition has picked up his production considerably in the recent past, and Park now has six home runs and a stellar .586 slugging percentage across 21 games and more than 80 plate appearances. Some voters will probably knock him due to the age, simply because that is what happens in these instances, but Park has been the best AL rookie through the first month.
  2. Nomar Mazara, OF Texas Rangers – Mazara just turned 21 years old, and the Rangers have to be pleased with their young outfielder. His .333/.386/.486 slash line speaks for itself, and Mazara has already proven to be a valuable part of the defense in Texas. The Rangers do have a (very) crowded depth chart at a few positions, but as long as Mazara hits at this level, they would be silly to limit his playing time in any way, shape or form.
  3. Tyler White, 1B Houston Astros – White was always going to cool down, but in a similar fashion to Trevor Story in the NL, it has already happened. Even with the regression, though, White holds a 114 wRC+ and a .469 slugging percentage with five home runs, and those numbers are easily good enough to warrant mention in what looks to be a fairly weak rookie class in this league.

Next: NL Cy Young

Home/Baltimore Orioles