Rookie of the Year races

2015 has been another great year for the rookie. Many have thrived in their first season and are up for recognition for their performances. Here is a list of the top four AL and top three NL rookies for Rookie of the Year voting.

American League

1. Carlos Correa – Shortstop – Houston Astros

2015 Stats: 94 Games, .281 Average, 21 Home runs, 22 Doubles, 61 RBIs, 12 Stolen Bases

When Carlos made his debut on Jun. 8 of this year, many thought he would just be up to fill in for the injured Jed Lowrie. Correa has flourished on the field and in the batter’s box, making the case to the Astros that he is indeed ready for this. Only 20 years old, Correa plays with a maturity of a veteran and does everything the right way. He has thrived producing a .281 batting average, 21 home runs and 61 runs batted in, and has been a catalyst in the Astros' playoff push.

2. Miguel Sano – Third Baseman – Minnesota Twins

2015 Stats: 74 games, .275 Average, 17 Home runs, 17 Doubles, 51 RBIs, .388 OBP

Although Sano has played the least number of games of the four AL candidates on this list, he has made the same impact as the others. Sano debuted on Jul. 2, and began hitting for a decent average from the word go. It was August when his power really showed, hitting nine long balls in 28 games. He has 2/3^rds the at bats of Correa, but is almost matching him in home runs and RBIs. Sano will be a big part of the Twins' playoff push.

3. Francisco Lindor – Shortstop – Cleveland Indians

2015 Stats: 93 Games, .319 Average, 11 Home runs, 21 Doubles, four Triples, 49 RBIs, nine Stolen Bases

Lindor has been a highly touted prospect for years and has shown why he has the chance to be an impact big league player. The switch hitting middle infielder has hit .319 over 93 games, and has shown some pop in his bat as well, totaling 36 extra-base hits. His defense has been solid, but it will continue to get better as he realizes more and more that he belongs at the big league level. With Jason Kipnis and Lindor up the middle, the future is bright for the Indians.

4. Billy Burns – Center Fielder – Oakland Athletics

2015 Stats: 121 Games, .297 Average, five Home runs, 18 Doubles, nine Triples, 42 RBIs, 26 Stolen Bases

Burns has the largest sample size of the four AL players on this list, and has shown tremendous consistency at the plate. The Atlanta native and Mercer Alum has really helped ease the burden for  A’s fans in what has been a disappointing 2015 campaign. It was too bad that he had some hamstring issues near the end of the season that slowed him down, or else we could've seen him steal 30 plus bases. Overall has wowed on the bases and in the field, and doesn’t get the attention he deserves. He will be fun to watch on A’s teams down the road.

National League

1. Kris Bryant – Third Baseman – Chicago Cubs

2015 Stats: 146 Games, .281 Average, 26 Home runs, 31 Doubles, 99 RBIs, 13 Stolen Bases

When Kris didn’t make the team out of Spring Training, fans scratched their heads, blaming ownership that it was only to keep him under another year of control (MLB Service Clock Rules). Well 10 games into the season, Bryant forced his way up and never looked back. The 6’5” Bryant is first among all rookies in home runs (26), RBIs (99), runs (86), and 5^th in stolen bases (12). He has been a force in the middle of the Cubs’ line-up that already features first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Without Bryant, the Cubs don't clinch a playoff spot.

2. Matt Duffy – Third Baseman – San Francisco Giants

2015 Stats: 143 Games, .298 Average, 11 Home runs, 28 Doubles, 74 RBIs, 11/0 SB/CS

Pablo Sandoval who? That is the effect Matt Duffy has had on the Giants all year, smoothly transitioning in to replace the beloved Pablo Sandoval who left via free agency. Duffy has excelled against big league pitching as seen by his .298 average. Manager Bruce Bochy has even penciled in Duffy in the 3^rd spot in a line-up filled with the likes of Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, and Brandon Belt. Duffy helped carry this Giants team for a while, but even though the Giants don't seem to be in the hunt for a playoff spot, he has had a terrific year worth celebrating.

3. Jung Ho Kang – Third Baseman – Pittsburgh Pirates

2015 Stats: 126 Games, .287 Average, 15 Home runs, 24 Doubles, 58 RBIs, .355 OBP

Not too many were sure how the Korean import Kang would fare adjusting to America, but he has thrived in the opportunities he has been given. His versatility has allowed his bat to be in the lineup, most recently filling in at third for the injured Josh Harrison. Kang got off to a rough start, but really turned it on in the month of July when he won NL Rookie of the Month honors hitting .379 with eight doubles and nine RBIs. A takeout slide by Chris Coghlan ended his season prematurely, but that shouldn’t compromise his vote total. Kang, just like the Pirates have been under the radar, but are both can’t miss stories of 2015.