Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Greetings from Memorial Day

By Brad Rowland

May 30, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; A member of the U.S. Navy parachute team 'Leap Frogs' takes part in Memorial Day celebrations prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; A member of the U.S. Navy parachute team 'Leap Frogs' takes part in Memorial Day celebrations prior to the game between the New York Mets and the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
May 24, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara (30) hits a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara (30) hits a two run home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year

  1. Nomar Mazara, OF Texas Rangers – This isn’t a close race right now. Part of the reason for that is a lack of rookie talent in the AL, but the other side of the coin is that Mazara has been remarkably good in his debut. In 43 games at the tender age of 21, Mazara has nine home runs with an awesome slash line of .309/.355/.491 and, for good measure, he is playing quality defense. Keeping up this level of production will be difficult, but if he does, Mazara is an All-Star player at a crazy young age.
  2. Byung-Ho Park, 1B/DH Minnesota Twins – Look beyond the .214 batting average and find a useful player. It might be fair to suggest that Park has been a disappointment given his advanced “rookie” age of 29, but the slugger does have nine home runs and a .455 slugging percentage and that is useful. The total package adds up to an above-average offensive profile, and we are scraping the barrel here. That is enough.
  3. Christopher Devenski, P Houston Astros – Though he has made only four starts and 12 appearances overall, Devenski has done enough to crack this list. The 25-year-old is currently a member of Houston’s bullpen after a short stretch as a starter, but in the absence of other qualified candidates, his 2.79 ERA looks quite shiny, especially after a four-inning performance in relief earlier this week. It will be tough for Devenski to maintain this status as a swing pitcher, but he’ll try.

Next: NL Cy Young

Home/Baltimore Orioles