MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL ROY candidates through June

4. Dae-Ho Lee – SEA

.294/.339/.515, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 130 wRC+, 1.1 WAR

The number four spot on my list is also occupied by an international player whose age and past professional experience could be a sticking point for some. Seattle Mariners first baseman Dae-ho Lee is 33 years old but is in his first major league season after spending 10 seasons in the KBO followed by four in Japan’s NPB.

Lee joined the Mariners late in the offseason and had to compete for a roster spot in spring training, and even then has mostly been just the short-side of a first base platoon with Adam Lind. So, like Kim, he hasn’t been a full-time player and has spent a lot of time playing only in favorable match-ups, so as good as Lee has been, and as much as I’d like for him to be higher, it doesn’t seem fair to me.

All that said, Seattle couldn’t have asked for any more from Lee. His 130 wRC+ is 3rd among AL rookies, and his defense appears better than one might expect from someone his size (6’4″ with a listed weight of anywhere from 250 to 286), judging from defensive metrics (+2.6 UZR), the eye test and comments from the team.

Lee has gotten a chance to play more regularly with Nori Aoki having been sent down to Triple-A, and if that continues we will get a chance to see how he holds up. It really appears that he is simply a good hitter, having massive power but also wielding the ability to spray the ball around when needed. But, as I mentioned, I think we need to see it for a longer period before placing him above the names that are to come.

Next: Number 3