Top 2015 MLB Rookies (Revisited)
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 12:17 pmWith little more than a month left, the ROTY races have taken interesting turns, particularly the rises of Matt Duffy, Roberto Osuna, Carlos Correa, and Randall Grichu, as well as the significant plummet of Joc Pederson, who has hit a major wall in the last 2 months. Here is how the rookies stand as we move towards the seasons end:
1. Carlos Correa, Ss, Astros. After only 64 games, Correa has established himself as baseball's best rookie, the Astro's franchise player, and Luhnow's first great move as Astro's GM. The first player picked in the 2012 drafr--over the expected Byron Buxton--Correa has produced a .278./ 347/.524 line with 15 hrs and 10 sbs, while playing solid defense and displaying his cannon arm. Early comparisons were to a young A-Rod, but his superior character and not-quite-as-exquisite defense makes Ripken a better one: a big, sturdy, power-hitting leader at Ss for many years to come.
2. Matt Duffy, 3b, Giants. If being outbid for Pablo Sandoval wasn't blessing enough for the Giants, his unexpected replacement, Duffy, has doubled it. Expected only to compete for a utility position, Duffy has taken over 3b with offensive and defensive aplomb, becoming one of their best hitters with runners in scoring position with a .373/.422/.558 line, and 10 hrs. And like Panik, Crawford, and Aoki, he is the typical Sabean player: professional, smart, and sturdy.
3. Roberto Osuna, Rp, Blue Jays. The nephew of former major leaguer Antonio Osuna, Osuna has recovered from recent Tommy John surgery to become the Jays' closer at the advent of their playoff drive. Utilizing his mid-90's fastball and plus changeup. Osuna has dominated, saving 14 out of 15 games, with a 1.88 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Price, Donaldson, and Tulowitzki get the headlines, but Osuna has been their unsung hero.
4. Randall Grichuk, Of, Cardinals. Until this year, Grichuk was most famous for being the players the Angels selected before Mike Trout. The secondary part of the Bourjos-Freese trade, Grichuk has quietly become the Cards' best outfielder, playing solid defense mostly in Rf, Grichuk has also produced an impressive .283/.333/.561 line with 15 hrs in the Cardinals dominating season. So, he'll never be Trout, but he could become a Jermaine Dye type for the Cards for many years.
5. Jung-Ho Kang, Ss-3b, Pirates. There have been few Korean position players who have made the transition to MLB, Shin-Soo Choo and Hee-Sop Choi chief among them. So, Kang's solid defense at Ss and 3b, as well as his solid power have been a pleasant surprise for the Pirates. A consummate professional and consistent performer, he has provided quiet steadiness in the infield to compliment the flair and/or intensity of Marte, McCutchen, and Walker. On the offensive side, his impressive .293/.363/.464 line and 12 hrs have given the Bucs uexpected middle-of-the-infield production.
6. Noah Syndergaard, Sp, Mets. When rumors had been swirling the Blue Jays were to send top catching prospect Travis D'Arnaud to the Mets for R.A. Dickey, many were justifiably stunned Anthopolous also threw in top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard. Now we see why. Always possessing a dominating mid-high 90's fastball, Syndergaard has harnessed his command this year to join DeGrom and Harvey in a fearful front three for the surprising Mets. His 9.52 K/9IP have been particularly impressive.
7. Kris Bryant, 3b, Cubs. If Bryant weren't who he was, the most celebrated hitting prospect since Trout, his rookie year would be more impressive. However, while 17 hrs, 69 rbis, and a .257/.363/.458 line is impressive, many, including the Cubs were expecting a bit more offensive dominance. That being said, he is learning the league, and he has been a vital part of the Cubs steady march toward the playoffs, and there is little doubt his future seasons will be more impressive.
8. Chris Heston, Sp, Giants. A 28-year old-rookie and only the Giants 25th ranked prospect, Heston was on his last career gasp this year. However the soft-tossing, but crafty, righty surprised all by making the Giants' rotation. He has surprised them even further by throwing a no-hitter and becoming their second best starter with 11 wins and a 3.38 ERA. Having stretched his innings limit, he's now resting in AAA Sacramento, but he will be up to join the Giants and their pennant drive soon.
9. Francisco Lindor, Ss, Indians. If Lindor were playing on a winning team in a year not including Carlos Correa, Lindor's excellent season with the Indians would be better known. That being said, many in baseball have noted Lindor's Gold Glove level defense and smooth stroke producing a .292 BA and 6 hrs. With Ofs Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier (and hopefully 1b Bobby Bradley) due in a year or two, Lindor is a centerpiece of a hopeful rejuvenation and rebuilding in Cleveland in the near future.
10. Nate Karns, Sp, Rays. Before he left, Andrew Friedman made one last Friedman-like deal by acquiring solid pitching prospect Nate Karns for unneeded backup catcher Jose Lobaton. A classic #4 starter, there's nothing flashy about Karns; he just hammers away at hitters with his low-90's fastball and often finishes them off with a plus curveball. Though rarely dominating, he has been the Rays most consistent starter after Archer and Odorizzi and looks like a mainstay in their rotation for years.
11-20:
11, Billy Burns, Of, Athletics
12. Joc Pederson, Of, Dodgers
13. Taylor Jungmann, Sp, Brewers
14. Maikel Franco, 3b, Phillies
15. Miguel Sano, Dh-3b, Twins
17. Kyle Schwarber, C-Of, Cubs
18. Blake Swihart, C, Red Sox
19. Carson Smith, Rp, Mariners
20. Addison Russell, 2b-Ss, Cubs
1. Carlos Correa, Ss, Astros. After only 64 games, Correa has established himself as baseball's best rookie, the Astro's franchise player, and Luhnow's first great move as Astro's GM. The first player picked in the 2012 drafr--over the expected Byron Buxton--Correa has produced a .278./ 347/.524 line with 15 hrs and 10 sbs, while playing solid defense and displaying his cannon arm. Early comparisons were to a young A-Rod, but his superior character and not-quite-as-exquisite defense makes Ripken a better one: a big, sturdy, power-hitting leader at Ss for many years to come.
2. Matt Duffy, 3b, Giants. If being outbid for Pablo Sandoval wasn't blessing enough for the Giants, his unexpected replacement, Duffy, has doubled it. Expected only to compete for a utility position, Duffy has taken over 3b with offensive and defensive aplomb, becoming one of their best hitters with runners in scoring position with a .373/.422/.558 line, and 10 hrs. And like Panik, Crawford, and Aoki, he is the typical Sabean player: professional, smart, and sturdy.
3. Roberto Osuna, Rp, Blue Jays. The nephew of former major leaguer Antonio Osuna, Osuna has recovered from recent Tommy John surgery to become the Jays' closer at the advent of their playoff drive. Utilizing his mid-90's fastball and plus changeup. Osuna has dominated, saving 14 out of 15 games, with a 1.88 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Price, Donaldson, and Tulowitzki get the headlines, but Osuna has been their unsung hero.
4. Randall Grichuk, Of, Cardinals. Until this year, Grichuk was most famous for being the players the Angels selected before Mike Trout. The secondary part of the Bourjos-Freese trade, Grichuk has quietly become the Cards' best outfielder, playing solid defense mostly in Rf, Grichuk has also produced an impressive .283/.333/.561 line with 15 hrs in the Cardinals dominating season. So, he'll never be Trout, but he could become a Jermaine Dye type for the Cards for many years.
5. Jung-Ho Kang, Ss-3b, Pirates. There have been few Korean position players who have made the transition to MLB, Shin-Soo Choo and Hee-Sop Choi chief among them. So, Kang's solid defense at Ss and 3b, as well as his solid power have been a pleasant surprise for the Pirates. A consummate professional and consistent performer, he has provided quiet steadiness in the infield to compliment the flair and/or intensity of Marte, McCutchen, and Walker. On the offensive side, his impressive .293/.363/.464 line and 12 hrs have given the Bucs uexpected middle-of-the-infield production.
6. Noah Syndergaard, Sp, Mets. When rumors had been swirling the Blue Jays were to send top catching prospect Travis D'Arnaud to the Mets for R.A. Dickey, many were justifiably stunned Anthopolous also threw in top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard. Now we see why. Always possessing a dominating mid-high 90's fastball, Syndergaard has harnessed his command this year to join DeGrom and Harvey in a fearful front three for the surprising Mets. His 9.52 K/9IP have been particularly impressive.
7. Kris Bryant, 3b, Cubs. If Bryant weren't who he was, the most celebrated hitting prospect since Trout, his rookie year would be more impressive. However, while 17 hrs, 69 rbis, and a .257/.363/.458 line is impressive, many, including the Cubs were expecting a bit more offensive dominance. That being said, he is learning the league, and he has been a vital part of the Cubs steady march toward the playoffs, and there is little doubt his future seasons will be more impressive.
8. Chris Heston, Sp, Giants. A 28-year old-rookie and only the Giants 25th ranked prospect, Heston was on his last career gasp this year. However the soft-tossing, but crafty, righty surprised all by making the Giants' rotation. He has surprised them even further by throwing a no-hitter and becoming their second best starter with 11 wins and a 3.38 ERA. Having stretched his innings limit, he's now resting in AAA Sacramento, but he will be up to join the Giants and their pennant drive soon.
9. Francisco Lindor, Ss, Indians. If Lindor were playing on a winning team in a year not including Carlos Correa, Lindor's excellent season with the Indians would be better known. That being said, many in baseball have noted Lindor's Gold Glove level defense and smooth stroke producing a .292 BA and 6 hrs. With Ofs Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier (and hopefully 1b Bobby Bradley) due in a year or two, Lindor is a centerpiece of a hopeful rejuvenation and rebuilding in Cleveland in the near future.
10. Nate Karns, Sp, Rays. Before he left, Andrew Friedman made one last Friedman-like deal by acquiring solid pitching prospect Nate Karns for unneeded backup catcher Jose Lobaton. A classic #4 starter, there's nothing flashy about Karns; he just hammers away at hitters with his low-90's fastball and often finishes them off with a plus curveball. Though rarely dominating, he has been the Rays most consistent starter after Archer and Odorizzi and looks like a mainstay in their rotation for years.
11-20:
11, Billy Burns, Of, Athletics
12. Joc Pederson, Of, Dodgers
13. Taylor Jungmann, Sp, Brewers
14. Maikel Franco, 3b, Phillies
15. Miguel Sano, Dh-3b, Twins
17. Kyle Schwarber, C-Of, Cubs
18. Blake Swihart, C, Red Sox
19. Carson Smith, Rp, Mariners
20. Addison Russell, 2b-Ss, Cubs