MLB: Predicting the Award Winners for 2017
By Jason Reed
Rookie of the Year
American League: Yoan Moncada
National League: Alex Reyes
Yoan should be, and likely will be, the starting second baseman for the White Sox on opening day. I know, Brett Lawrie currently holds the position and the naturalists out there will declare that Moncada shouldn’t start opening day. However, Moncada is big league ready there is no denying that. Without a high-caliber player blocking him in the MLB, why waste his talents in the minors? Yes it is good to help him develop even further, but nothing compares to big league pitching and Moncada could serve as a considerable boost for the White Sox. With so many prospects biding their time already, why not throw one of them a bone and start them on opening day?
As for Reyes, the popular pick to win NL Rookie of the Year next season is Dansby Swanson. Admittedly, just a few weeks ago I wrote Swanson off as a shoe in to win the honor next season. However, upon further investigation Reyes seems more suitable to win the award in 2017. In 46 innings pitched, Reyes posted a 1.57 ERA in 2016. His strike out rate was great for starters at 10.17 k/9, only solidifying his dominance in getting hitters out.
Undoubtedly, Reyes will likely be the more crucial of the two. While I do believe Moncada will put up stellar numbers, likely better than Reyes, Reyes is actually contributing to a playoff push. With Moncada’s already big name, and Reyes push to the postseason, they will prove to be formidable rookies in 2017. Not only will they be formidable rookies however, they will slowly become some of MLB’s best.