Award Races

AL Rookie of the Year

The Contenders (all stats are league-specific and only among qualified rookies):

Esteban Amezaga San Francisco Hammer'd Leprechauns Age: 24 B/T: L/L Born: Albany, KY Position(s): RF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Why he should win:
HR - 23 (T-3)
RBI - 62 (3)
R - 75 (1)
H - 111 (T-4)
3B - 5 (1)
SB - 20 (T-5)
AVG - .279 (7)
OBP - .351 (4)
SLG - .520 (1)
OPS - .871 (1)

Daniel Russell Boise Bed Wetters Age: 22 B/T: L/L Born: Smiths, AL Position(s): RF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Why he should win:
HR - 31 (1)
RBI - 89 (1)
R - 70 (2)
AVG - .244 (10)
OBP - .315 (10)
SLG - .484 (2)
OPS - .800 (2)

Hughie Hughes Kansas City Tweakers Age: 25 B/T: S/L Born: Iola, KS Position(s): CF/2B/LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Why he should win:
AVG - .327 (1)
OBP - .415 (1)
OPS - .799 (3)
SB - 44 (1)
R - 65 (4)
H - 111 (T-4)

Keith Hayes Oakland Bruisers Age: 24 B/T: L/R Born: Rushford, MN Position(s): RF/1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Why he should win:
HR - 24 (2)
RBI - 67 (2)
H - 120 (2)
AVG - .261 (7)
SLG - .461 (3)
OPS - .784 (4)

The lowdown: A very deep rookie class (also could have included Donaldo Flores, Tommy Jordan, and Torey Ontiveros) is highlighted by the above four. The choice appears to be Amezaga because of the massive SLG, but it's tough to overlook Russell's huge power numbers. In the end, Amezaga just has had too good of a power/speed year, and he is my choice.