Ever since Doc Gooden debuted, there have been very few Mets rookies that have stood out. This year, however, a new player has burst on to the scene and that man is Jacob deGrom. After a 13-strikeout performance, one would think that Jacob deGrom is a shoe-in for the National League Rookie of the Year, but there are a few players who could get hot at the end of the season and spoil his splendid season. (Enough has been said on the Billy Hamilton vs. deGrom debate)
Although this might be hard to hear for many Mets, the Braves long reliever is a very prominent rookie pitcher. With an excellent homerun rate at 0.3 per nine innings, he keeps the ball in the park and has no problem recording outs. Hale is the same age as deGrom and has been a brilliant swingman. Hale was excellent is the months of April and May compiling a 1.38 ERA in 39 innings, but hit a serious wall in the month of June with an ERA over 7.00. Since then he has posted a solid ERA of 3.46 and has kept his walks down. If he can improve upon his walk rate in the final set of games, Hale could be a serious contender for the Rookie Year of Honors.
He came into the season as virtually an unknown prospect who once was a burnout pitcher for the Cardinals (uncommon right?) and completely raked in the independent leagues. The disappointing Diamondbacks called upon this kid to be in their outfield rotation and he did not disappoint. Posting an impressive .852 OPS through his first 56 games but could have eclipsed 200 hits if this was stretched for a full season. He was a little underwhelming in the month of August as he posted an OBP under .300, but he still slugged at a solid rate (.437). Peralta has been about average in the field this season yet still maintains a quality 1.7 WAR. The main knock on his game is clearly the walks (14 walks in 320 PA). While this problem sounds similar to an outfielder the Mets have, this problem may be easier to solve as his minor league rates show that he has walked a bit more in his past. If Peralta can come back from his minor injury and dominate pitching for about a week and a half, he will give deGrom a run for his money.
The Giants offense has been very unpredictable since the loss of Barry Bonds in 2008, but at least this season they won’t have to hit the panic button for 2nd base production. Sorry for the horrible pun, but Panik has been nothing short of an offensive force since his debut in May. Posting a .308/.353/.379 slash line entering Tuesday, he has been a saving grace for the San Francisco squad. After completely raking in August (.379 batting average), he has continued to hit (.310 batting average) giving some competition in the ROY race. Panik has posted great defense numbers since his debut and with a solid final week, he might sneak into the voters’ minds.
Thank you Julian! I wasn’t aware of some of those names.
But at the end of the day, I’m pretty sure no ROY has been named with less than 400 AB or 100 IP.
These players might get the random vote, but they don’t have the exposure required.
OK. Stretch in 59 (but what a year), Wil Myers last year (but he was close to 400 PA), and Scott Williamson.
Basic point remains. You have to be pretty dominant to win and play so few games.
I also like these names you threw out there. I’ve heard David Hale’s name all year, and despite his terrible June as you mentioned, he’s been a saving grace for a decimated Braves pitching staff. I don’t think he’s done enough to unseat deGrom, but he’s the top guy in my mind after Hamilton.
If you are going to include David Hale how can you leave out Jeurys Familia, he beats out Hale in WAR , games and has a ERA almost a full run better ? Not to mention Degrom bests him in every single pitching category. Not sure what you based your article on ?