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MLB Awards Predictions 2017

By Justin Koonce

Mar 18, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; A view of an official Rawlings baseball at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Orioles won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; A view of an official Rawlings baseball at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Orioles won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Dansby Swanson

I’m not exactly going crazy with this pick. According to Sports Betting Dime, he has the best odds to win NL Rookie of the Year at 3/1. His trip to the majors has been well documented, from number 1 pick to headliner of the oft-mentioned Shelby Miller trade. Now, we will see how a full season at the major league level goes for him. Last season, he came up and flat-out hit, posting a .302/.361/.442 line in 145 plate appearances. Hopes are high this season, and rightfully so. He plays defense well, holds his own at the plate and is a threat on the bases. His 23.4 percent K-rate from last season is a little troubling, but when that’s the only problem you can find, you’ve got a pretty solid outlook.

Runner Up: Hunter Renfroe

I’m still going with the odds here. Renfroe will certainly have a lot of chances this season, as there are only three outfielders on the Padres’ Opening Day roster. Much like Swanson, Renfroe had a successful stint in the bigs last year, albeit a much smaller one. He hit .371/.389/.800 in 36 big league plate appearances. Yes, you read that right, Renfroe slugged .800. Obviously that number screams small sample size, but Renfroe’s power is legit. Over a full season in Triple-A El Paso, he slugged .557 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI.

There are more concerns with Renfroe than Swanson. He is a negative on defense in right field, and his plate discipline is troubling. He strikes out a lot, which is typical for big sluggers, but he also never walks. If he can’t learn to take a walk, his time as a big leaguer may not be long. Either way, there will be homers. And lots of them.

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