MLB Awards: Top 5 AL ROY candidates through June

Jun 24, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) fields a ball hit by the Chicago White Sox in the 8th inning at Target Field. The Twins win 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Midseason call-ups of top prospects can quickly change the complexion of a Rookie of the Year race, and this year’s American League battle is no exception. A handful of highly-touted youngsters made their debut on the Junior Circuit this month, injecting some life into the ROY picture and closing some of the perceived talent gap with the National League’s rookie class that had appeared to be solidifying across the season’s first few months.

One of those prospects, a name you can probably guess, has taken this year’s rookie class by storm. It seems only a matter of time before we can confidently say that the award is his to lose. Others haven’t been quite so fortunate, however. 21-year-old slugger Joey Gallo flexed his much buzzed-about power muscles this month for the Texas Rangers, belting five homers with an average distance of 440 feet. He also struck out 43 times in 98 plate appearances, a weakness he will have to work on after being sent back down to the minors yesterday to make way for a reactivated Josh Hamilton.

Byron Buxton, a former Twins top draft choice, struggled mightily in eleven games with Minnesota after being promoted on June 14. He was hitting only .189 before being placed on the disabled list with a thumb injury on the 26th. We may very well see him and Gallo again this season, but they did not exactly make the immediate impact some thought they would.

For now, here are the current top five names to watch for as the AL ROY race heads into its midpoint.

Honorable mentions: Joey Butler (TB), Delino DeShields, Jr. (TEX), Devon Travis (TOR)

Next: Rookie #5

5. Carson Smith – 31 IP, 1.45 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 37 SO, 5 SV

Jun 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Carson Smith (39) throws during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Smith continues to be a dynamite option out of the Seattle Mariners bullpen. In 31 total innings he has allowed only 17 hits and five earned runs. He has also walked just six and surrendered only two homers.

With Fernando Rodney providing a textbook illustration of the term “cardiac closer,” it seemed only a matter of time before the 25-year-old Smith took over the reins. Indeed, he was given the opportunity and notched his first save on June 6. Since then he has saved five games in six chances for the M’s.

Manager Lloyd McClendon has allowed the veteran Rodney to ease his way back into the role, letting him pick up a save on June 26. “My hope,” he said, “is Rodney becomes that lock-down ninth-inning guy again.” The 5.52 ERA is hardly inspiring, though, so Smith should have a solid shot at continuing to rack up saves, which would fortify his ROY resume. Regardless of whether or not he is closing games, however, he has turned in some dominant relief work and deserves recognition.

Next: Rookie #4

4. Carlos Correa – .287 BA, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 4 SB

Jun 14, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) throws to first base during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t blink, because Carlos Correa probably won’t be in this spot for long. The Houston Astros former #1 overall draft pick and super-prospect made his big league debut on June 8. Despite having just 22 games under his belt, the 20-year-old Correa has already made a major impression and is living up to much of the hype that met him upon his arrival.

He boasts a .287/.309/.543 slash line with five homers and 15 RBI for the surging ‘Stros. Correa already has seven multi-hit games to his name, four of them three-hit affairs. He has also gone 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts. That ability to hit for power and average along with speed – all at the shortstop position – is what made Correa such a highly coveted young player. In less than a month he has effectively demonstrated each of his tools, both at the plate and in the field.

If Correa maintains his impressive performance, the AL Rookie of the Year could very well be his award to lose. The chance to help Houston snap an extended playoff drought and do some damage in the postseason could strengthen his case even more.

Next: Rookie #3

3. Billy Burns – .317 BA, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 16 SB

Jun 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Burns (1) takes a lead off of first base against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Last month we said Oakland A’s speedster Billy Burns could sprint his way up our AL ROY rankings, and he ended up doing just that in June. The fleet-footed center fielder added seven steals to his account during the month and has now swiped 16 bags out of 19 attempts on the season.

Though not offering much in the way of power (2 HR) or run production (15 RBI), Burns is collecting plenty of hits, allowing him to make an impact on the base paths. His .317 batting average leads all rookies. Of his 71 hits to date, 14 have gone for extra bases, including four triples.

In a less-than-stellar year in Oakland, Burns’ play out of the leadoff spot has been a pleasantly surprising bright point. If he keeps it up, he should get his share of ROY consideration at season’s end.

Next: Rookie #2

1. Steven Souza Jr. – .212 BA, 14 HR, 31 RBI, 10 SB

Jun 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr. (20) hits a home run during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

This month features a Rays swap at the top, as power-hitting rookie Steven Souza Jr. takes over for teammate Nathan Karns. As mentioned last month, Souza is not a player without his weaknesses. His power is often of the all-or-nothing variety. The batting average has further slipped to .212 and he is still striking out at a very high clip, 34.1% at the moment.

But power numbers get a lot of attention during MLB awards season, and power is something Souza has in spades. His 14 home runs lead AL rookies and trail only Joc Pederson (20) among all rookies. He has also driven in 31 runs and swiped ten bases so far.

Souza’s is an interesting case to debate, especially as his average continues to approach the Mendoza line. Still, something in the neighborhood of 30 homers from a rookie is going to attract plenty of consideration from ROY voters. Souza’s offensive firepower has helped bolster a Rays lineup that has otherwise struggled to score runs at times, keeping the club at the top of the AL East when many assumed they would be a nonfactor.

The continued ascension of Mr. Correa could render all of this moot at some point, but for now Steven Souza gets top placement among AL rookies.

Next: Correa gives Astros new weapon in AL West battle