Baseball Bloggers Alliance NL Rookie of the Year Ballot

by Slyde on Oct 15, 2009 10:30 AM EDT in Off-season

It's time for the NL Rookie of the Year ballot for the Baseball Bloggers Alliance awards. If you are wondering who won the Manager of the Year Awards, it was Jim Tracy in the NL and Mike Scioscia in the AL.

Here's my ballot for NL Rookie of the Year. Let me know what you think in the comments:

1. Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates

McCutchen led all NL rookies in WAR this past season at 3.4, mainly because he played about average defense at a prime defensive position of centerfield. This is what propels him into the award in my book. Good offense from a decent defensive centerfielder is definitely a plus. McCutchen did a lot to improve his chances too with his hitting during the last 3 weeks of the season. Over his last 18 games he batted .377/.463/.565, raising his OPS 37 points over that span.

2. J.A. Happ - Philadelphia Phillies

Happ led all rookie pitchers in ERA+, strikeouts, and wins after going 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA over 166 innings. Doing it all for a team that was on its way to winning the division makes that much more special.

3. Tommy Hanson - Atlanta Braves

Hanson went 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 21 big league starts. Despite the fact that he pitched nearly 40 fewer innings than Happ, he only had 3 fewer strikeouts and fell just short of leading NL rookies in wins and ERA+. What's scary is that he's only 22.

Honorable mentions: Garrett Jones - Pirates (led all NL rookies with 149 OPS+ and 21 HR), Chris Coghlan - Marlins (batted .321/.390/.460, but was shaky on defense in LF), Randy Wells - Cubs (12-10, 3.05 ERA), Casey McGehee - Brewers (batted .301/.360/.499, led NL rookies in RBI with 66), Colby Rasmus - Cardinals (batted .251/.307/.407, but played outstanding defense in center field)

So, did I get it right? Who do you think should be the NL Rookie of the Year?

Poll

Who should be the NL Rookie of the Year for 2009?

Chris Coghlan

15 votes

Tommy Hanson

35 votes

J.A. Happ

49 votes

Garrett Jones

11 votes

Andrew McCutchen

42 votes

Casey McGehee

1 votes

Colby Rasmus

3 votes

Randy Wells

6 votes

162 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Shoulda been you, Hanigan!

by Brendanukkah on Oct 15, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

i woulda gone with Hanson

but you could make an earnest case for each and every one of these guys (well, everyone except Wells. yuck). overall it is a pretty underwhelming group, considering the recent winners (Longoria, Braun, Hanley), but i went with Hanson because i think he’s got the brightest future. all else being roughly equal, i think that gives him the edge.

and my secret vote went to Hanigan.

by Charlie Scrabbles on Oct 15, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

I signed Hanson in Out of the Park 10

and he sucks now. Ergo, he has no future.

I'mma let you finish, but....

by nycredsfan on Oct 15, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

not a bad group

Its surprising that 3 guys are sort of nobodies, Wells, McGehee and Jones.

by ol Pete on Oct 15, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Happ

I know it’s an individual award, but he did it for a team fighting for a postseason spot.

The man who will one day be President is, at this moment, lying in his cradle, trying to find some strategic way to get his big toe in his mouth.

-Mark Twain

by poojols on Oct 15, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

Yep

You got it right. I like McCutcheon as the ROY. He’s electric and should only get better. If they get some decent support around him in Pittsburgh they could have something there.

As much as I love Happ (I scouted him when he was at Northwestern), and as great of a year as he had, I would put Wells in his space at #2.

Hanson is a stud, no doubt hes a top candidate. He may actually wind up being the one who wins the award. He posseses a lot of what the BBWAA likes in its award winners.

by backtocali on Oct 15, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

J.A. Happ

A pitcher who played for a winning team and forced to perform in pressure situations. Happ should be the winner.

(Plus, he went to Northwestern! Where are all my fellow NU Red Reporters now? Happ needs support.)

The season doesn't start until the Cincinnati Reds take the field! Reclaim The Opener!!

by TheC on Oct 15, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

So McCutchen should have made sure he was drafted by the Dodgers?

Yeah, those guys and the Cincinnati Reds. They're a terrible football team. / Because they're a baseball team? / Exactly. You know who's the worst football team? The Philadelphia Flyers. - Best Show

by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Oct 15, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

People Don't Kill People. Burning Couches Kill People.

by crolfer on Oct 15, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Andrew McCutchen

I’ve been impressed with him since his call up. He looks like a do everything player to me.

Hanson was a better rookie pitcher than Happ.

Top 3: McCutchen, Hanson, Happ

I think Coghlan could be a solid player for a while. His BB/K numbers were impressive for a rookie.

by Snake the Jake on Oct 15, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Can't argue with McCutchen

But Hanson pitched much better than Happ, and why does Happ get extra credit for playing for a playoff team? The Braves were like 1 back in the Wild Card with a week to play, too, and Hanson was pitching out of his mind to get them there, while Happ was running out of gas (ERA near 5 in Sept/Oct). Besides, ROY doesn’t have any of the ambiguous-wording debates of MVP, it should go to the guy who played best, and in REALLY close calls, to the guy with a better future. Maybe just my opinion (about how to pick the winner, not about Hanson pitching much better than Happ).

Why isn’t Garret Jones getting any love? The guy had an absolutely monstrous season at the plate. He beat both Hanson and Happ for WAR, despite the limited playing time. There are a lot of good options this year for ROY, and I would not be ashamed if any of these 4 guys win; though least happy about Happ.

by kcgard2 on Oct 16, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

Happ didn't get any more extra credit for the playoff team than Hanson

the only extra credit he got was that he pitched more during the year. That’s why I put him in front of Hanson, but I could have easily gone the other direction with it.

Definitely a good argument.

by Slyde on Oct 16, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions