Poll: The American League’s top rookie for the first half

This year’s crop of American League rookies is impressive, yet distinctive, diverse group. Some may take issue with a couple of the players I have listed for one reason. They feel they’re not actually “rookies” having played in another “professional” league in another country. (Yep. Big hint there…)

Take that for what you will.

So when the BBWAA votes for their AL Rookie of the Year, the ballot will list three names. My twist: I have four nominees. Normally, I would go with only three, but I simply couldn’t come to grips with dropping any one of the four I have listed. When you see my list, hopefully you’ll know why I couldn’t drop one of them for a conventional three, but I feel good about having four here.

The hardest thing about doing any Rookie of the Year-type voting is that you’re usually comparing position players to pitchers and vice versa. There are stats out there to aid you with this, but you still have a bit of mystery about your own vote.

As we’ve seen in RoY votes in the past, a team’s position within the standings has no bearing on the vote. Same applies to the four I have listed here.

Players are listed in alphabetical order.

Jul 13, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Jose Abreu (79) singles in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

Abreu leads the AL in home runs (29). He is also in the top ten of these offensive categories:

SLG: .630 – 1st
OPS: .972 – 3rd
OPS+: 164 – 3rd
Total bases: 203 – T2nd
RBI: 73 – T3rd

In reference to the above categories, I’m not referring to only comparing to other rookies. No, no, no. I mean among all of the American League. That’s what makes Abreu’s season seem even more impressive.

Nice slate for the power-hitting Abreu. He’s been as advertised. Maybe even better than anticipated. Abreu’s slashline of .292/.342/.630 is pretty solid. And to think he’s done this even with serving some time on the disabled list.

For all the power Abreu has displayed, you might be surprised to learn that he’s not among the top ten in strikeouts. And he’s not among the league leaders in GIDP either. Not that those two stats have any bearing on this poll, but they are noteworthy.

Jun 1, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. The Twins defeated the Yankees 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees

Okay. Betances isn’t a starter. We know and get that. But is there a non-closing reliever in all of the American League that posted as successful a first half as Betances? Maybe, but this guy has been downright nasty to opposing hitter. He’s holding them to a .124 BAA. That’s not a typo either. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a righty (.111 BAA) or a lefty (.135 BAA), he still stifles you.

Maybe that 6′ 8″ frame has something to do with it. Or this: Betances has faced 206 batters, striking out 84 for those. He’s only issued 16 walks. That translates into a SO/BB of 5.25. And his SO/9 is an astounding 13.7.

The fact Betances made the 2014 AL All-Star team was justifiable to the nth degree.

(Note: There seems to be a slight issue regarding Betances and his rookie status. MLB.com specifically shows Betances within their “Top Rookies” stats area. Baseball Reference states that Betances lost his rookie status last season. Most, if not all, of every thing I’ve read on Betances for this season notes him as a rookie.)

Jun 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Brock Holt (26) at bat in front of Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

3. Brock Holt, Boston Red Sox

Shocked by this one? I’m not even a Red Sox fan either.

When the Red Sox received Holt (along with Joel Hanrahan, you remember that) as part of the Mark Melancon deal, I don’t think they knew what they were getting. Well, not completely. Now they do. This guy has value, and it has been on display this season.

Holt’s slashline of .327/.371/.463 is impressive in and of itself. (What? Holt’s OPS is .834?!?!) His BA currently ranks 10th in the AL. That he’s been able to bring this offensive production while playing at seven different defensive positions is another animal. He hasn’t caught or pitched. He’s played at least one inning at every other position. Talk about versatile.

Holt’s not a defensive liability either. He might not win a Gold Glove, but he does sport a positive dWAR (0.1). His overall outfield DRS is 6 with a DRS of 5 for right field. “Filling in” for a Gold Glover in Shane Victorino or adding a bit of clarity to the left field situation, Holt has taken a step forward that many may not have seen coming.

And I’ll Add this. Holt’s bWAR of 2.2 is second on the Red Sox. Only Dustin Pedroia (3.1) is ahead of Holt.

Apr 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) works during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

4. Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees

I could easily copy and paste everything I wrote about Tanaka from the pitcher of the year post. And then when you consider his rookie status, that makes all of what he has produced that much more amazing.

Let’s not discount the fact that Tanaka is putting up these numbers as a member of baseball’s premier organization. Not just for MLB, but world-wide. And in a league in which he is not familiar. Sure, that does work to his advantage as far as hitters are concerned, but I digress.

Name a pitching category, any pitching category and odds are Tanaka is among the rookie leaders, if not at the top of said category. Now repeat that last sentence and omit “rookie” from it. Same applies there as well.