It seems like the young talent just keeps coming. As of Aug. 7, there are 21 rookie position players and 18 rookie pitchers who are first year eligible in the National League. There is no clear cut rookie of the year, and you can make a case for each of them. The stat categories are led by many different candidates. Matt Duffy currently leads all rookies with a .309 average, Joc Pederson leads with 21 home runs and Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Kris Bryant is the leader in RBIs, with 61. This just makes the vote even harder. What is impressive too, is that most of these rookies are performing in the middle of pennant races. On the mound, Giants' righty Chris Heston, and Mets' Noah Syndergaard have both put up strong numbers and seem to be the two pitching favorites. Milwaukee's Taylor Jungmann has also impressed in his 11 starts this year.
Although Bryant and Pederson have received the most hype, they have struggled mightily since the All-Star break. Fans need to be exposed to the other rookies, so that the other rookies can receive recognition for their solid campaigns. Here are three very underrated rookies who have put up very good numbers, and make good cases to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Matt Duffy - 3B - San Francisco Giants
Duffy has been one of the more quiet rookie performers this year. He doesn't get the same attention as Bryant, or Pederson, but he has definitely been as good or better. Remember just this past offseason marked the departure of Pablo Sandoval, and many were wondering who could replace the beloved third baseman. The Giants first tried veteran Casey McGehee, but after that didn't work out, they gave the job full time to Duffy, who began to stand out from the beginning. Through his first 95 games, Duffy has batted .309 (1st among rookies) with 108 hits (1st), nine home runs (7th) and 51 RBIs (2nd). Duffy has always been a high average hitter, hitting .332 at Double-A Richmond last year, but the power has only developed recently. In his college career at Long Beach State, Duffy didn't hit a single home run, but has hit nine in the big leagues this year. His run production has allowed manager Bruce Bochy to deepen his lineup, penciling in Duffy to the third spot on a Giants team that already features Buster Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt in the middle of the order. Duffy has definitely made an impact in San Francisco, and he should not be overlooked in the NL ROY race.
Randal Grichuk - OF - St. Louis Cardinals
Many may not know that Grichuk was taken by the Angels 24th overall in the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft, the pick before reigning AL MVP Mike Trout. Although he didn't get to the big leagues as fast as Trout, Grichuk is a very talented outfielder with solid tools across the board. He is 5th in average (.288), 2nd in doubles (20), 1st in triples (seven) and 6th in RBIs (40). He, like Duffy, has performed on a playoff contending team, and has filled a huge hole in the lineup with Matt Holliday down with a quad injury. He is projected to finish with around 20 home runs (13 at the moment), and has been a big part of the Cardinals. Grichuk consistently hits the ball hard as he ranks 4th in average launch speed (94.7 mph), behind only Giancarlo Stanton (98.7 mph), Kyle Schwarber (96.8 mph), and Miguel Cabrera (94.8 mph). The harder the ball is put in play, the more good things happen for a hitter. Look for Grichuk down the stretch as he looks to continue to help the Cardinals to the playoffs and beyond.
Odubel Herrera - CF - Philadelphia Phillies
Who? That is what most say when they hear the name of this 23 year old rookie outfielder. After being selected by the Phillies from the Rangers in this past Rule 5 Draft, Herrera had a chip on his shoulder, but also an opportunity to play in the big leagues. He has made most of the opportunity so far, hitting .288 with five home runs and 29 RBIs. He currently leads NL rookies with 22 doubles, is 5th in runs with 41 and 3rd in hits with 90. Herrera has also made a nice adjustment to the outfield after being a middle infielder for most of his professional career. Although the Phillies are not contending in a playoff race, Herrera is making his case that he should be in the future plans of the Phillies. He could turn out to be a Shane Victorino like story, as Victorino was also a Rule 5 Draft pick. Paired with Maikel Franco (who has put up a stellar rookie campaign so far.), Cody Asche, and Cesar Hernandez, the Phillies have some nice young pieces moving into the future, and hopes that Herrera will roaming center field in the years to come.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Winners of the trade deadline
This was one of the more memorable trade deadlines of recent years. Big prospects were moved as well as All-Star bats and front line starters. The trade season began with Scott Kazmir being dealt to the Astros on Jul. 23 and ended with the Mets acquiring the power bat of Yoenis Cespedes in the final minutes leading up to the deadline. Most of the teams that needed to get something done, got something done. Many of these deals will impact the already tight races across the league and only time will tell if these deals will have paid off. Here is a look at the winners of this years trading deadline.
Winners
1. Toronto Blue Jays
This is a no brainer. When you acquire the best shortstop in the game in Troy Tulowitzki, an ace in David Price, and fill a few holes with Ben Revere and Mark Lowe, you did something right. In his first eight games with the team, Tulowitzki has gone 8 for 28 with two home runs and five RBIs, while getting on-base at a .412 clip. He has also dazzled defensively making numerous difficult plays, and showing Toronto why he is the best all around shortstop in the game. Price was also brilliant in his debut with the Jays, pitching eight innings, while surrendering only three hits and one earned run in a win over the Minnesota Twins. He will be a key stopper down the stretch, and will also help all of the pitchers around him get better. Alex Anthopoulos did a terrific job of making moves this year, something he didn't do last year and was highly criticized for. Now the Blue Jays have an even more potent offense, and pitching to support the attack. There is also a buzz around the ballpark that hasn't been there in a while. Hopefully they can party like its 1992 and 1993.Thumbs up to the Jays front office for the creativity and the names that they brought in.
2. Houston Astros
The Astros made a statement from the beginning that they believe that this is their year by acquiring Kazmir. Kazmir has been brilliant in his last seven starts going 2-2 with a 0.96 ERA. Imagine in a postseason series having to face Dallas Keuchel and Kazmir back to back. They wouldn't be done there as they would also acquire outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Brewers. Gomez is a great addition as he brings the energy of George Springer, who is currently on the DL. Hopefully there is no issue with his hip and he performs like the 2014 version of himself. When healthy, he is one of the best power, speed, and defense combos in the game today. The Astros also received a good arm in Mike Fiers in the Gomez trade, to solidify the back end of the young rotation. It was a great job by the Astros to realize that they were ahead of schedule, and to go for it now.
3. New York Mets
What was thought, wasn't. I am referring to the infamous trade that didn't happen of Carlos Gomez to the Mets for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. At first, it looked like this would be another dwelling point for New York fans, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Flores would hit a walk-off solo home run to push the Mets past the Nationals just a day after he was thought to be traded. The Mets would end up trading for Cespedes, who provides a much needed impact bat in what was an anemic offense. A trade that went really under the radar though, was for utility man Kelly Johnson, and Juan Uribe. Both are great clubhouse presences and bring a winning attitude to the team. When the trade was made, Lucas Duda asked Terry Collins if Johnson was here to play first. Collins basically responded that how you play will determine that. Duda would go on to win player of the week ending August 3rd, as he went 9 for 19 with seven home runs from Jul. 26 to Aug. 3. Dating back to the Jul. 25, Duda has nine home runs in that span. It is safe to say that this trade lit a fire under Duda, which significantly helps this offense. The atmosphere of Citi Field has also changed, evident in the weekend series that saw the Mets sweep the Nationals. The fans are behind this team and are very alive in the stadium. They too will be a key cog in this postseason hunt for the Mets. The Mets went from a cute story, to a contender in the matter of days, look out for them as they look to win the division over the disappointing Nationals.
4. Texas Rangers
No, they didn't make a flurry of moves, but they did make the big one, acquiring Cole Hamels from the Phillies. This was a great move for now and in the future as next year Hamels and Darvish will be at the top of their rotation. The Rangers have also made a push recently, and Hamels could put them over the hump. As of Aug. 6, the Rangers are five games back in the division, and two games back of an AL Wild Card spot. If their offense keeps firing, and the pitching can be consistent, this may be a very dangerous playoff team, especially with a proven postseason pitcher like Hamels.
Winners
1. Toronto Blue Jays
This is a no brainer. When you acquire the best shortstop in the game in Troy Tulowitzki, an ace in David Price, and fill a few holes with Ben Revere and Mark Lowe, you did something right. In his first eight games with the team, Tulowitzki has gone 8 for 28 with two home runs and five RBIs, while getting on-base at a .412 clip. He has also dazzled defensively making numerous difficult plays, and showing Toronto why he is the best all around shortstop in the game. Price was also brilliant in his debut with the Jays, pitching eight innings, while surrendering only three hits and one earned run in a win over the Minnesota Twins. He will be a key stopper down the stretch, and will also help all of the pitchers around him get better. Alex Anthopoulos did a terrific job of making moves this year, something he didn't do last year and was highly criticized for. Now the Blue Jays have an even more potent offense, and pitching to support the attack. There is also a buzz around the ballpark that hasn't been there in a while. Hopefully they can party like its 1992 and 1993.Thumbs up to the Jays front office for the creativity and the names that they brought in.
2. Houston Astros
The Astros made a statement from the beginning that they believe that this is their year by acquiring Kazmir. Kazmir has been brilliant in his last seven starts going 2-2 with a 0.96 ERA. Imagine in a postseason series having to face Dallas Keuchel and Kazmir back to back. They wouldn't be done there as they would also acquire outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Brewers. Gomez is a great addition as he brings the energy of George Springer, who is currently on the DL. Hopefully there is no issue with his hip and he performs like the 2014 version of himself. When healthy, he is one of the best power, speed, and defense combos in the game today. The Astros also received a good arm in Mike Fiers in the Gomez trade, to solidify the back end of the young rotation. It was a great job by the Astros to realize that they were ahead of schedule, and to go for it now.
3. New York Mets
What was thought, wasn't. I am referring to the infamous trade that didn't happen of Carlos Gomez to the Mets for Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler. At first, it looked like this would be another dwelling point for New York fans, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Flores would hit a walk-off solo home run to push the Mets past the Nationals just a day after he was thought to be traded. The Mets would end up trading for Cespedes, who provides a much needed impact bat in what was an anemic offense. A trade that went really under the radar though, was for utility man Kelly Johnson, and Juan Uribe. Both are great clubhouse presences and bring a winning attitude to the team. When the trade was made, Lucas Duda asked Terry Collins if Johnson was here to play first. Collins basically responded that how you play will determine that. Duda would go on to win player of the week ending August 3rd, as he went 9 for 19 with seven home runs from Jul. 26 to Aug. 3. Dating back to the Jul. 25, Duda has nine home runs in that span. It is safe to say that this trade lit a fire under Duda, which significantly helps this offense. The atmosphere of Citi Field has also changed, evident in the weekend series that saw the Mets sweep the Nationals. The fans are behind this team and are very alive in the stadium. They too will be a key cog in this postseason hunt for the Mets. The Mets went from a cute story, to a contender in the matter of days, look out for them as they look to win the division over the disappointing Nationals.
4. Texas Rangers
No, they didn't make a flurry of moves, but they did make the big one, acquiring Cole Hamels from the Phillies. This was a great move for now and in the future as next year Hamels and Darvish will be at the top of their rotation. The Rangers have also made a push recently, and Hamels could put them over the hump. As of Aug. 6, the Rangers are five games back in the division, and two games back of an AL Wild Card spot. If their offense keeps firing, and the pitching can be consistent, this may be a very dangerous playoff team, especially with a proven postseason pitcher like Hamels.
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