2019 MLB Rookie Class
AL Rookie of the Year Award Predictions
This season, the AL is stacked with incredible rookie hitters and pitchers. While multiple players can surely secure the Rookie of the Year award, only one can reign victorious.
The difficulty with this prediction is that the player that I feel is worthy of the award in the AL has played the fewest games of any rookies being considered. Despite all of that, in the few numbers of games that he has played, he has had a tremendous impact on the field.
I’m talking about none other than Yordan Alvarez. In just 48 games this season, Alvarez has managed to hit 17 home runs, the most of any rookie in the AL, while a featuring a 1.137 OPS as well as a 196 wRC+.
If Gary Sanchez managed to be the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award in 2016 after just playing 53 games, Alvarez who has way outperformed Sanchez in that season is surely deserved of the award.
Other players considered:
- Brandon Lowe, Rays – .276 AVG / .339 OBP / .523 SLG / .358 wOBA / 127 wRC+
- Vlad Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays – .276 AVG / .349 OBP / .462 SLG / .344 wOBA / 115 wRC+
- Oscar Mercado, Indians – .272 AVG / .319 OBP / .436 SLG / .319 wOBA / 94 wRC+
- Luis Arraez, Twins – .350 AVG / .421 OBP / .446 SLG / .373 wOBA / 132 wRC+
- Zach Plesac, Indians – 6-3 / 3.27 ERA / 5.04 FIP / 1.19 WHIP
- John Means, Orioles – 8-7 / 3.36 ERA / 4.48 FIP / 1.16 WHIP