4 Potential 2016 American League Rookie of the Year Candidates

Oct 9, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros shortstop

(1) at bat against the Kansas City Royals in game two of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The American League Rookie of the Year was deemed Carlos Correa on Monday, with the Astros young shortstop beating out Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor by a point total of 124 to 109, with Correa receiving 17 first-place votes to Lindor’s 13. Part of what we try to do here is project some of the young talent that fills the Minor Leagues, so today we are going to do just that.

While the book is closed on the 2015 season, the awards are still being handed out. From there the hot stove reaches critical mass at the Winter Meetings, and then it’s time for New Years. Before you know it, baseball will be back, so here is who we think will finish in the top spots for next year’s AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Keep in mind, these are in no certain order just yet. A couple of these picks will be on the safer side while the slide slide is filled with sleeper picks. If there is a prospect that you’re excited about in your favorite team’s farm system, let us know in the comments below!

Next: Of Course He's on the List

Aug 29, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder

(25) at bat in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Target Field. The Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Buxton, OF–Minnesota Twins

While Buxton made his Major League debut in 2015, he didn’t quite lose his rookie eligibility after gathering just 129 at-bats with the Twins. Those at-bats weren’t necessarily productive, as Buxton slashed just .209/.250/.326 with two home runs and six batted in. As we wrote about last month, this shouldn’t have anybody jumping off of double b’s bandwagon, as Mike Trout struggled in his initial stint in the Majors too, and he’s doing alright for himself.

While Buxton likely won’t replicate a Troutian rookie season next year, with the solid defense he provides he should be able to maintain his value if his bat goes through a slump or two. The Twins should continue to improve in 2016, which means that more eyes will be on Buxton throughout the season which should also mean more votes in the long run.

Baseball America describes the 21-year-old’s skill set as “loud and readily apparent.” Buxton will be the headliner in another strong rookie class next season. If he can stay healthy, Buxton’s chances of winning the award will be high.

FanGraphs’ Steamer has Buxton project to hit .258 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI to go along with 23 stolen bases.

Next: Let's Make it a Twin Killing

Jul 12, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; World pitcher

throws against the U.S. Team in the first inning during the All Star Futures Game at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Berrios, SP–Minnesota Twins

If you’re a fan of the Twins, you have to love this list so far. Berrios was selected in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2012 Draft at just 17 years old. Now 21, Berrios is on the cusp of joining the Twins rotation and possibly becoming the ace the team needs.

The right-hander’s 2015 campaign started off in Double-A Chattanooga, where he held a 3.08 ERA over 90.2 innings pitched. His K rate is solid at just slightly more than one an inning (9.1), while his walk rate was also relatively low at 2.4. Those numbers went in promising directions once Berrios took the mound in Triple-A Rochester, as he totaled a 2.62 ERA, a strikeout rate of 9.9 and a walk rate of just 1.7.

FanGraphs’ Steamer has Berrios currently projected to go 4-4 in eleven starts with a 4.00 ERA.

Next: A New Arm in Tampa

Sep 18, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays prospect pitcher

is awarded minor league player of the year before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Snell, SP–Tampa Bay Rays

Snell flew through the minors last season, going from Hi-A all the way to Triple-A, totaling 134 innings pitched and a 1.41 ERA. That’s pretty darn good. Snell made just nine starts for the Durham Bulls at the end of the season, so he may begin 2016 with the team yet again, but if he picks up where he left off, or the Rays face an injury in their rotation, Snell’s should be the first name called.

Currently ranked as Tampa’s #2 prospect, and 41st in all of baseball, Snell totaled 57 strikeouts in 44.1 Triple-A innings for a rate of 11.6. The left-hander will be 23 when the season begins after spending five seasons in the Rays farm system.

Snell works with a low-to-mid 90s fastball that has some life, and incorporates a slider and changeup that MLB Pipeline says have the potential to become plus offerings. Snell didn’t allow a run to cross the plate until his ninth start of the season, a stretch of 46 innings. In those 46 innings he allowed just 18 hits and struck out 54. In the game he finally allowed a run, he also fanned 12.

Next: Can the Astros Go Back-to-Back?

Oct 9, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a ball and glove on the field before the Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros play in game two of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Reed, 1B–Houston Astros

Folks in Houston salivate any time there is a potential option to help fill the void at first base, and that option may make his debut in 2016. A.J. Reed dominated Minor League pitching in 2015, batting .340 with 34 homers and 127 driven in. Reed strikes out a fair amount (122 times in 523 at-bats) but he also has the ability to hit for average, which could make him a dangerous addition to an already fearsome Astro lineup.

Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow has said they will give Reed a shot to win the first base job in the spring, which seems like a longshot, but Houston also doesn’t have many better options at the moment. Chris Carter was more bust than boom in 2015 and Jon Singleton may be due for a change of scenery with his lack of performance at the big-league level and the emergence of Reed.

Reed could fit onto the Rookie of the Year ballot the same way Miguel Sano did this season. Neither will stand out for their defense, but both are able to absolutely crush the ball. Whether Reed debuts in April or later in the season, he will be an intriguing name to keep and eye on in 2016.

Next: Sleeper Picks

Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics infielder

during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Each of the players on this slide have the potential to make some noise in 2016, but it’s unclear when they’ll debut, so we’ll put them in the ‘sleeper’ category.

Yankee outfield prospect Aaron Judge struggled in his 61 Triple-A games, which will likely lead to him starting the season in the minors yet again, regardless of whether New York trades some of their surplus in the outfield. Another AL East prospect that has caught the eyes of many is Blue Jays outfielder Roemon Fields, who stole 46 bags from Hi-A to Triple-A last season. The Jays’ outfield is also crowded, but if, say, they trade an outfielder for some pitching depth this offseason, the path for Fields could become a little clearer.

Next: Burdi Lights Up the Radar Gun

Oakland always has a sneaky pick or two for AL Rookie of the Year, and depending on when shortstop Chad Pinder and first baseman Rangel Ravelo (from the Jeff Samardzija to the White Sox deal) are called up, they could play their way into the conversation. Pinder’s glove work at short was on display in the Arizona Fall League, while his bat helped him make a name for himself in the minors last year, batting .317 with 15 homers and 86 RBIs for the Texas League champions in Midland. Ravelo is batting a ridiculous .408 through 26 Venezuelan League games, and is averaging nearly an RBI and a walk per game, giving him an on-base percentage of .551. If the A’s are able to move Billy Butler this winter, Ravelo’s chances of getting playing time in Oakland certainly increase.

We may add names to this list as the season draws closer as players are traded around and Major League roadblocks are removed, but for now these players have the best chances of being in the discussion for AL Rookie of the Year at the end of the 2016 season.