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?