Happy off-season 2021/2022 to all you beautiful ballboys, ballgirls, and those who are new; WELCOME! This off-season, we are going to have a lot of fun. I love writing, I think about it daily, and between kids, work, school, the time has been limited. But it's my time to get back into more content and more writing!
Today, we will make a case for A.L. and N.L. Rookie of the Year award finalists who I think deserve to take home the hardware. Before we jump into the post, I want to make a case for Dan-o's seasoning as the best seasoning on the open market. This winter, sign Dan-o's to your spice racks and thank me later. Click here to let them know I sent you.
A.L. Finalists:
1: Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays
YES, I did it. I predicted a finalist right for the R.O.Y. award. Arozarena was simply fantastic in his rookie season after his excellent post-season run with the Rays in 2020. Randy was brilliant with his 4.1WAR. In 529AB, he had 145H, 20HR, 69RBI, 20SB to go along with a .274/.356/.459 slash line and a 131OPS+. A 20/20 rookie season was a fantastic place to start the 25yo career. The young Rays will need to improve when he uses his speed to steal, leading the league in the C.S. category.
2: Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays
El Patron did nothing less than impress in his age 20/21 season. The Rookie SS/3B lived up to the hype, in my opinion, with his 3.5WAR. In 281AB, he notched 81H, 7HR, 39RBI, and 2SB to go along with his .288/.347/.463 slash to go with 129OPS+. I wouldn't say his 70 games were mind-blowing, but he did more than enough to earn himself a starting spot on the left side of the Rays I.N.F. for years to come.
3: Luis Garcia, Houston Astros
I love when we have pitchers on this list, and the future for the Astros rotation is bright after having back-to-back S.P. wind up as finalists for the award in back-to-back years. Garcia put up excellent numbers for the Astros as he pitched to a 2.6WAR. In 155.1IP, he had an 11-8 record in 28GS and 30GP. In those games, he had 167K-50BB. He held opposing batters to a slash line of .232/.295/.393. Garcia is in an excellent spot to be a mainstay in the Astros rotation without two future hall of fame players going into next season.
N.L. Finalists:
1: Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals
The Red Birds have one of the most exciting, young sets of OF in all of baseball. Led by Tyler O'Neil, Carlson stepped up massively for the Cardinals in 2021, posting a 3.2WAR. In 542AB, Carlson had 144H, 18HR, 65RBI, 2SB, and a .266/.343/.427 slash to go with a 117OPS+. The power upside is there for Carlson as he looks to cement himself as a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup for years to come.
2: Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds
The talk all last off-season was who was going to be the Red's shortstop. Were they going to make a trade for Story at some point during the season? The answer ended up being India, who BURST onto the scene in 2021, laying claim to the everyday S.S. role for the Reds with his 3.9WAR. In 532AB, he had 143H, 21HR, 69RBI, 12SB to go with a .269/.376/.459 slash and a 113OPS+. It's safe to say that the Reds have their S.S.
3: Trevor Rogers, Miami Marlins
Not the Rookie S.P. we thought would be here from the Miami Marlins, however, with the season that Rogers had. It's hard to argue that it went better than Sixto's did in 2020. After posting a 3.3WAR and being a mainstay on my fantasy baseball teams this season. The 7-8 record over 25GS was solid. Out of those 25GS cam e 133IP, 157K-46BB, 2.64ERA/2.55FIP while holding opposing batters to a slash of .218/.291/.318 was simply brilliant.
****INSERT DRUMROLL**** My A.L. picks to win Rookie of the year is Randy Arozarena, with his 20/20 season putting him above the rest and being able to deliver for the Rays consistently. Coming out from the N.L. I am going to crown Reds S.S. Jonathan India with the award. India is an exciting young player and to cement yourself at one of the most touted positions on the diamond is nothing short of impressive.
Don't forget to watch or stream the awards on November 18th.
Peace out!