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Heading into the homestretch: 2016 ROY favorites
Aug 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Dylan Bundy (37) pitches during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the homestretch: 2016 ROY favorites

With the final month of the Major League Baseball regular season dawning soon, there will be an influx of young talents that will make their way towards an MLB roster for the first time, as an additional 15 September roster slots are made available. A few of these auditions have already gotten underway; the much hallowed Dansby Swanson made his debut in Atlanta last week, while Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin have made their presence felt in their recent promotions as well.

But while their best days are yet to come for them and many other prized youngsters inhabiting the minor leagues still, there has been a strong group of rookie talents that have made their presences felt all summer. And with the final months of their seasons ahead, the race for Rookie of the Year in each respective league will be taking its final shape.

The National and American Leagues both respectively have a very strong handful of candidates this year, with a trio of supremely talented shortstops leading the way in the NL, while the American League’s offering is spread out all over. But regardless of where they hang their glove, as well as regardless of who lifts the hardware, it has been a banner year for first timers across Major League Baseball. 

National League

Aledmys Diaz, Cardinals

Aledmys Diaz began the year as an emergency replacement for the injured Jhonny Peralta, and eventually became the reason why Peralta was shifted to third base when he returned from the DL. Diaz, who is currently sidelined with a fractured thumb, earned himself a permanent place in the Cardinal lineup with his play throughout the year. He has hit .312, with 14 home runs and 57 RBI, while scoring 64 runs as well. He is expected back in September at some point, just in time to again supply his irreplaceable talents in a Cardinal lineup who could use him as a steadying element in its ever-shifting lineup.

Kenta Maeda, Dodgers

Maeda has been the most consistent part of the injury-ravaged Dodger starting staff, as he is the only LA arm to make five starts in each month of the season. And while his effectiveness has waned month to month, there is no disputing the fact that he has been one of the most important signings for the team all year. The 28-year-old righty is in line to reach 15 wins in his first year in the MLB and has sported an impressive 1.10 WHIP, the ninth best total in the NL. 

Seung-hwan Oh, Cardinals

When all of the dust settles, Oh could very well stand as the best free agent signing of the entire winter. After building up a reputation as one of the all-time great relievers in both Korea and Japan, tallying 357 international saves, he became (fittingly) known as ‘The Final Boss’, a moniker that plays well in America as well. He has been persistently dominant in every role he has been cast in out of the Cardinal bullpen, making an impact throughout the 7th, 8th and now 9th innings. With a nasty mix of sliders, sinkers and a deceptively hard fastball, Oh has held opposing bats to a .168 average over 65.1 innings. Along the way he has averaged over 11 strikeouts per nine innings, and has total 14 holds along with 12 saves since becoming the ‘Final Boss’ of the final frame for the Cardinals in July.

Corey Seager, Dodgers

Just a year removed from being the top prospect in the game, Seager has made such a seamless transition to the pros that Rookie of the Year honors may not be enough. He has been the most important player on the Dodgers this year, picking up his pace when Clayton Kershaw and numerous others in the LA rotation went down with injuries.

The Dodger offense has become one of the best in the National League since Seager hit his stride in June, climbing from 11th in the NL in runs scored, up to second in July. He has been a catalyst in fueling their takeover of first place in the NL West, and a big part of why they could hold on to it as well. Seager’s stride has been something to behold as well. After being named to the All-Star team, he has hit .383 in the second half, after hitting 17 home runs before the ASG. This has blended into an very strong .322/.377/.538 slash line, to go along with 22 home runs, 61 RBI and putting him on pace to easily reach 100 runs. In a tight season with plenty of strong rookie performances (in addition to some untimely injuries to his competition), Seager’s increased impact on the Dodger destiny has likely wrapped up the Rookie of the Year already, and should rightfully see at top 5 MVP vote total as well. 

Trevor Story, Rockies

The third leg in the NL’s impressive rookie shortstop triangle, Story was in line to continue to make rookie home run history, had a late July torn thumb ligament not put the brakes on his season early. After setting an April rookie homer record with 11, Story continued on his torrid long ball pace, and finished with 27, three short of tying Nomar Garciaparra’s rookie shortstop record of 30. All the same, he gives reason for much hope for the Colorado faithful, as he profiles to pair with Nolan Arenado to make one of the most productive infield duos in all of baseball over the next few seasons. A 40 home season is not outside of this reach.

Also noteworthy: Willson Contreras (Cubs), David Dahl (Rockies), Jon Gray (Rockies), Junior Guerra (Brewers), Tommy Joseph (Phillies), Jose Peraza (Reds), Ryan Schimpf (Padres), Jameson Taillon (Pirates), Trea Turner (Nationals)

American League 

Dylan Bundy, Orioles

After making a meteoric rise through the minors and making his Major League debut at age 19, Bundy wouldn’t make his return to Baltimore for three years due to Tommy John surgery and a shoulder blade injury that followed. But he worked his way back to the Majors and after starting his season in the O’s bullpen, Bundy finally made his way to the O’s rotation in July. He carried no-hitters into the sixth inning in two of his first three starts, and as a starter, he has held opponents to a .204 batting average, while striking out 46 in 39.2 innings. He has more than justified himself as once again being a major part of the Orioles’ plan going forward. 

Michael Fulmer, Tigers

He has become one of the most consistent pitchers in the game during the first 20 starts in his career, and once he hits the innings minimum to qualify, Fulmer will lead the AL in ERA with his 2.58 mark. The 23-year-old, who was acquired as a part of the Yoenis Cespedes trade just over a year ago, has been a horse for the Tigers, pitching into the seventh inning in eight of his first 20 career starts. He has been just the boost that Detroit needed to hold up its climb into the Wild Card race, and has a 4.7 WAR on the year despite not making his first appearance until April 29th.

Max Kepler, Twins

It was originally supposed to Byung-ho Park that supplied the debut pop for the Twins, but he was a disappointment for the Twins before succumbing to a demotion and then season-ending hand surgery. Kepler, who was also demoted early in the year after a slow start, has made the most of his second chance, hitting 15 home runs over the past two months, including eight in July before kicking off August with a three homer game versus the Cleveland Indians. When added to his athleticism on the base paths and in the field, Kepler has proven to be a flash of excitement an otherwise bland Twins campaign.

Nomar Mazara, Rangers

To be such a young age (21), Mazara has swung a very mature bat for the Rangers and has been a key part of keeping them atop the AL West. He is on pace to touch 20 home runs, drive in 60 plus runs and meet 150 hits if he keeps up his steady pace at the plate. While switching between the corner outfield positions –depending on which oft-injured Rangers outfielder is available on that particular day— he has provided six outfield assists, including two double plays. 

Tyler Naquin, Indians

In a year where All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley could not make 50 plate appearances due to a shoulder injury that refused to heal, Naquin’s emergence has been a godsend for the Tribe. The 25-year-old center fielder has been a jack of all trades, hitting .308, slugging to the tune of .576, along with 14 home runs, 15 doubles and five triples as well. He hit over .340 in three separate months this year, while plating 12 home runs over June & July, a span where he was named AL Rookie of the Month in back-to-back spans. He stands to play an important role in the Indians’ chase for an AL Central title, a factor which could sway some votes his way for the annual top rookie away, rather than just the monthly version. 

Also noteworthy: Tim Anderson (White Sox), Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox), Alex Bregman (Astros), Chelsor Cuthbert (Royals), Edwin Diaz (Mariners), Gary Sanchez (Yankees), Blake Snell (Rays) 

 

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