MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL Rookie of the Year candidates through April
Apr 19, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
With the exception of one or two players, it was a relatively quiet first month on the American League rookie front. Evaluating first-year players this early is often more about highlighting potential than taking current statistics at face-value. Some of the names who might become larger factors in this race in the months to come have either just barely started (Carlos Rodon) or are waiting for a call-up (Rusney Castillo).
A lot can change between now and October, but here are five AL rookies who tasted big league action in April and may have a chance to earn the honor at season’s end.
Those gunning for the award have a tough act to follow in reigning winner Jose Abreu, who hit .317 with 36 home runs and 107 RBI last season.
Honorable mention: TB Tim Beckham (.255, 3 HR, 10 RBI)
Next: Kyle Lobstein
5. Kyle Lobstein – 3 GS, 2-1, 3.50 ERA, 10 K
Mar 3, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Kyle Lobstein (53) pitches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Baltimore Orioles at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Tigers left-hander Kyle Lobstein wasn’t on many radars until Justin Verlander‘s injury slotted him into the starting rotation. Lobstein has done a more than adequate job filling in for the former Cy Young and MVP award winner, turning in three solid starts against some quality competition. He’s thrown 18 innings to the tune of a 3.50 ERA, giving up 17 hits and seven earned runs. His best start so far came against the Yankees on April 21, when he held the Bombers to just three hits and one run over six innings. Lobstein has also been effective without relying on the strikeout (he’s fanned ten batters in his 18 innings) though it might behoove him to start missing some more bats.
It’s difficult to say how his role might change whenever Verlander makes his way back, but if he remains this effective Lobstein will get his opportunities. He’s enjoyed 18 runs of support in his three starts, and while he shouldn’t expect such prosperity every time he takes the mound, the Tigers’ high-powered offense should continue treating him right. Combine that with Detroit’s sound infield defense and it’s easy to see Lobstein netting his share of wins and remaining a quality rotation piece in 2015.
Next: Nathan Karns
4. Nathan Karns – 5 GS, 1-1, 4.76 ERA, 25 K
Apr 22, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Karns (51) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard not to feel at least a bit bullish about a rookie pitcher on the Tampa Bay Rays, considering their impressive track record in developing young hurlers. Nathan Karns has been inconsistent thus far but has shown he belongs at the big league level in decided fashion. His early numbers are a bit skewed by two poor starts in which he surrendered 11 earned runs over 11.2 total innings. His other three starts were markedly better, highlighted by a seven inning performance against the Marlins on April 12 in which he gave up just two hits and one earned run. He’ll need to provide longer outings as the season continues, having tossed six or more innings in only two of five starts thus far.
Karns has been allowing six hits and striking out eight batters per nine innings, rates which should serve him well moving forward. In order to improve, however, he really needs to limit the walks. He’s handed out 16 of them (most in the AL) over 28.1 innings for a less-than-savory 5.1 BB/9 ratio. If he can work on that and throw a bit more consistently, the ingredients are there to put together a solid rookie season.
Next: Daniel Norris
3. Daniel Norris – 4 GS, 1-1, 4.43 ERA, 17 K
Apr 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Daniel Norris (32) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre. The Atlanta Braves won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
22-year-old Blue Jays lefty Daniel Norris has shown some good things in April and expects to progress throughout the rest of the campaign. Norris has given up less than a hit per inning (19 in 20.1 IP) and has put up a 4.43 ERA over his first four starts. Like several of his peers in this year’s rookie class, he would do well to dole out less walks (10 BB so far).
Norris’ overall numbers are hurt by his start on April 19 against Atlanta, when he surrendered four earned runs and failed to get out of the third inning. He inspired much more confidence when he took the mound six days later, holding the Rays to one run and five hits over seven innings of work while striking out seven. If he can offer more performances like that in the months ahead, Norris will remain a rookie to watch.
Next: Steven Souza Jr.
2. Steven Souza Jr. – .237 BA, 4 HR, 11 RBI
Apr 19, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) hits a 2-run home run during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Though his first-month numbers aren’t quite off the charts, Steven Souza has shown flashes in April and should remain a factor in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation. Traded from the Nationals in the offseason, the 26-year-old Rays right fielder has smacked four homers and driven in 11 runs in his first 21 games. His slash line is by no means eye-popping (.237/.333/.434) but there are elements to his game that could lead to some better results as the season moves forward. Among those is his power: his first round-tripper of the year on April 14 was a monster shot to deep center that traveled 463 feet.
Souza will need to cut down on the strikeouts significantly (30 K in 76 AB) and he can further help his case by continuing to draw some walks (11 BB so far). At this point, much of Souza’s appeal comes in the hope that he can flirt with some of the numbers he put up in the minor leagues. In 96 games at Triple-A last year he hit .350 with 17 HR and 75 RBI.
Next: Devon Travis
1. Devon Travis – .342 BA, 6 HR, 19 RBI
Apr 24, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (29) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It can be daunting for a youngster to make his mark in a lineup stacked with the likes of Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Yet 24-year-old Jays second baseman Devon Travis has being doing just that and then some throughout the month of April. Of his 26 hits, 12 have gone for extra bases, including six home runs. According to Fangraphs he’s making contact at an 84 percent rate and hitting the ball with authority to all fields. He has scored 17 runs batting near the top of the Toronto order and figures to keep doing the same with the names hitting behind him. Travis has also been a legitimate run producer batting out of the one and two spots; his 19 RBI are currently tied for fifth throughout MLB.
You would bet on few players maintaining this kind of pace, especially a rookie, but Travis has positioned himself as an early favorite for AL Rookie of the Year honors with the kind of month he’s enjoyed. Only four major leaguers have posted better than his 1.063 OPS: Adrian Gonzalez, Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones and Miguel Cabrera. Not bad company for a player only 21 games into his big league career.