MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL ROY candidates through May
Mar 14, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Joey Gallo (70) walks to the dugout against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
With two full months now in the books, the American League Rookie of the Year race remains shrouded in uncertainty. There is no Kris Bryant or Joc Pederson here capturing all the headlines. Instead, there is a collection of solid performers, quiet contributors and high-upside prospects still working to show their potential on a consistent basis.
There are two new names on the list compared to April’s rankings. And it’s a good bet that trend will continue with several intriguing rookies being added to the mix recently. Rangers pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez just took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his major league debut. Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo received his call-up about a week and a half ago. Slugging third base prospect Joey Gallo is set to join the Rangers tonight. There’s still plenty of time for these and other rookies to make their mark and lay claim to the RoY award.
With no clear frontrunner at this time and plenty of variables to consider for an assortment of players, this should be a compelling MLB awards race to monitor throughout the course of the 2015 season.
Honorable mentions: RP Carson Smith (SEA), OF Delino DeShields Jr. (TEX)
Next: Number 5
5. Billy Burns – .327, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 9 SB
May 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Billy Burns (1) steals third base as the ball passes by New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley (12) during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
A relative newcomer to the AL Rookie of the Year mix, Billy Burns has opened some eyes in very quick fashion with the Oakland A’s. He didn’t make his season debut until May 2, but over 118 plate appearances he is boasting a .327/.373/.436 slash line with two homers and three RBI.
The outfielder’s greatest asset, however, is his speed, and he has been putting it on display regularly since coming up to the big leagues. He has swiped nine bags in eleven attempts and scored 17 runs while primarily batting leadoff for Oakland. Burns has even prompted some to ponder whether he is currently the league’s fastest player.
There’s still a long way to go, but Burns cracks this list due to the nice month he had as well as the potential he showed. If he keeps his average high and continues racking up the steals, it will likely give him a bit of a different look compared to many of the other RoY candidates. Burns could very well sprint his way up our rankings in the months to come.
Next: Number 4
4. Carlos Rodon – 1-0, 3.45 ERA, 25 SO
May 9, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning in game two of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The White Sox planned to bring their prized pitching prospect along slowly, working him out of the bullpen at first. That idea lasted for three relief appearances, and since moving to the starting rotation Carlos Rodon has done a much better job showing the baseball world what he can do.
He has posted a 3.63 ERA in 22.1 innings as a starter and seems to be getting better results each time he takes the mound. Three of his four starts have been of the quality variety. He’s fanned 25 batters in 28.2 total innings, displaying some of the strikeout-inducing ability that made him so coveted coming out of college. Rodon will need to get the walks under control, however: he’s given out 19 free passes thus far.
At only 22 years of age, there’s little reason to think Rodon won’t keep improving each time he takes the ball. He’ll likely have his innings capped by season’s end, which could prove a factor in his Rookie of the Year chances. But if he continues to have outings like his last couple, he should climb this list in a hurry.
Next: Number 3
3. Devon Travis – .271, 7 HR, 26 RBI
May 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (29) gets a single during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays neophyte has cooled off substantially since April, knocking him out of the top spot on this list that he occupied comfortably a month ago. Yet his overall numbers are still strong enough for him to remain as one of the chief contenders for the award. The likely culprit for his recent struggles? A shoulder injury that landed him on the disabled list on May 17.
After hitting .325 in March/April, Travis managed just a .185 mark in 14 games in May. He added only one home run and seven RBI to his season totals as well. The second baseman has had trouble against lefties (.233/.281/.600) and in games away from Rogers Centre (.231/.302/.449).
Travis’ chances of staying in the Rookie of the Year race will now depend on his injury. The latest reports, however, have not been the most promising. His rehab will be shut down at least a week after Travis felt continued shoulder discomfort following a game with Triple-A Buffalo. If he can return before too long and look more like the player he did in April than the first half of May, he should remain a very strong factor in the AL RoY picture.
Next: Number 2
2. Steven Souza Jr. – .232, 10 HR, 22 RBI
May 14, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) doubles during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Power is an attractive skill in any player, but it always seems to garner even more attention in a rookie. Steven Souza has flexed his power muscles more than any other rookie in the American League, belting ten homers so far for the Rays. That leads AL rookies and is good enough for the top-15 among all players in the Junior Circuit.
Souza is not without his weaknesses, however. Namely, his tendency to strike out frequently. His 70 Ks (in 188 plate appearances) are the most among major league hitters. That has played a big part in his very underwhelming .232 batting average. He’ll need to show a more disciplined eye at the plate moving forward.
Regardless, the outfielder added six homers and 11 RBI to his account in May, keeping pace with his production from the month prior. He’s not a perfect candidate, but if he hits 30 round-trippers this year it’s hard to see him not getting plenty of RoY consideration, no matter what his other numbers are. Other names are hot on his heels, but for now he sits at #2 in our ranking.
Next: Number 1
1. Nathan Karns – 3-2, 3.32 ERA, 53 SO
May 8, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Karns (51) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Starting pitcher Nate Karns continues to impress in the Tampa Bay Rays rotation. After a fair April by rookie standards, the right-hander turned things up a notch in his second full month, posting quality numbers by any standards. In 28.2 innings of work in May, he allowed just six earned runs. His May highlights? A May 8 start against Texas in which he tossed seven strong innings, striking out nine and limiting the potent Rangers offense to four hits and two runs. In his most recent outing, he held division rival Baltimore to a single hit over six scoreless frames.
Karns’ contributions have been invaluable, helping the Tampa Bay pitching staff withstand the absences of Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly and Matt Moore. His 3.32 ERA through ten starts has played a big part in keeping the Rays firmly in the mix for the AL East lead. His 1.12 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 rate have been major ingredients of his success. He is also keeping opponents to a tiny .195 batting average.
Karns could stand to hand out fewer walks (3.8 BB/9), but for now he’s the class of AL rookie pitchers… and AL rookies in general. If he keeps it up there’s little reason to think he won’t remain on the shortlist to take the award.