My pick for 2011 AL Rookie of the Year (RoY) is New York Yankee starting pitcher Ivan Nova. Nova’s 2011 won-loss record was 16 wins and four losses. His earned run average (ERA) was 3.70. He started 27 games for the Yanks, and pitched 165.1 innings. Although he only struck out 98 batters, he allowed 163 hits in those innings. And, he walked only 2.9 batters per nine innings.
While Nova had the advantage of pitching for a competitive Yankee club, his statistics, particularly his won-loss record, makes him “stand out from the crowd” of other 2011 rookie pitchers toiling in the AL.
But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. What is the definition of Rookie of the Year Award? According to Wikipedia, “In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946. The award became national in 1947; Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodgers’ first baseman, , won the inaugural award. One award was presented for both leagues in 1947 and 1948; since 1949, the honor has been given to one player each in the National and American League. Originally, the award was known as the J. Louis Comiskey Memorial Award, named after the Chicago White Sox owner of the 1930s. The award was renamed the Jackie Robinson Award in July 1987, 40 years after Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color line.”.
Here are some other AL rookie pitchers who may receive some votes from the BBWAA. I have included these pitchers’ “vital statistics,” which include won-loss records, ERA, Strikeouts (K), and for the relief pitchers, Saves (S).
Jordan Walden, Relief Pitcher, LA Angels:
Won-Loss 5-5 ERA: 2.98 K: 67 S: 32
Jeremy Hellickson, Starter, Tampa Bay Rays:
Won-Loss: 13-10 ERA: 2.95 K: 117 IP:189
Al Alburquerque, Reliever, Detroit Tigers:
Won-Loss: 6-1 ERA: 1.87 K: 67 IP: 43.1 S: 0
Zach Britton, Starting Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles:
Won-Loss: 11-11 ERA: 4.61 K: 97 IP: 154.1
Walden may give Nova the most competition for the RoY. Hellickson had a winning won-loss record and good numbers, but Tampa is another competitive club. A good team backs him up. However, his won-loss record doesn’t come close to Nova’s won-loss record. Alburquerque was more than a serviceable middle reliever, but didn’t put up the numbers the other pitchers did. Besides, the BBWAA will consider a middle reliever only if he is having a very outstanding season. Britton, although on a weak Orioles team (the team’s won-loss record was 69- 93, last in the AL Central Division), again, doesn’t have the numbers that compare to Nova.
What about everyday players?
Here are some other AL rookie players who may receive notice from the BBWAA. Once more, I have included the players’ “vital statistics,” which include batting average (Ave.), runs batted in (RBI), and home runs (HR). These players have played in over 100 games during their rookie seasons. I am not including “flash in the pans”; i.e. a player, for example, who may have appeared in only 60 games but has an Ave. of .350.
J.C. Arencibia, Catcher, Toronto Blue Jays:
Ave: .219 RBI: 78 HR: 23
Eric Hosmer, first baseman, Kansas City Royals:
Ave: .293 RBI: 78 HR: 19
The one thing holding Arencibia back is his .219 Ave. Otherwise; he has put up more than respectable numbers. Hosmer also had a good rookie year, but, once again, he did not have the outstanding year that Nova is had.
Major League Baseball rookies:
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_rookie.jsp?c_id=mlb
Rookie of the Year Award Definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_Rookie_of_the_Year_award
Ivan Nova statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=467100
Jordan Walden statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=477229
Jeremy Hellickson statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=476451
Al Alburquerque statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=456379
Zach Britton statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=502154
Final 2011 Major League Standings:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/?tcid=mm_mlb_standings&c_id=det#20110928
J.C. Arencibia statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=450317
Eric Hosmer statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=543333