My choice for the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year (RoF) is Craig Kimbrel, closer for the Atlanta Braves. Closely following Kimbrel is the Philadelphia Phillies Vance Worley. It will be a close call. I give the nod to Kimbrel because, as a rookie, he is under more pressure as a closer than Worley is as a starter. But, the vote could go either way.
Who votes for the RoF? 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 Kimbrel’s and Worley’s “vital statistics,” which include won-loss records, ERA, Strikeouts (K), and for the relief pitchers, Saves (S).
Craig Kimbrel, relief pitcher, Atlanta Braves:
Won-Loss: 4-3 ERA: 2.10 K: 127 IP: 77 S: 46
Kimbrel was tied for first in the NL in saves.
Vance Worley, starting pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies:
Won-Loss: 11-3 ERA: 3.01 K: 119 IP: 131.2
Worley had a .786 win percentage.
There are no everyday players that had 2011 standout (RoY) seasons. Two may have good futures.
Here are some other NL 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.
Danny Espinosa, shortstop, Washington Nationals:
Ave: .236 RBI: 66 HR: 21
Freddie Freeman, first baseman, Atlanta Braves:
Ave: .282 RBI: 76 HR: 21
Espinosa has shown power for his position. With few exceptions, shortstops are “all field, no hit.” He also has some speed, stealing 17 bases. Freeman has also shown decent pop (almost a necessity for a first baseman, which is a “power position.”).
However, I believe the RoY race will come down to Kimbrel and Worley, with Kimbrel the victor.
However, I believe the RoY race will come down to Kimbrel and Worley, with Kimbrel the victor.
List of 2011 rookie players:
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
Craig Kimbrel statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=518886
Vance Worley statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=474699
Danny Espinosa statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=457787
Freddie Freeman statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=518692
NL pitching wins statistics
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=mlb&tcid=mm_mlb_stats#sectionType=sp&playerType=QUALIFIER&statType=pitching&page_type=SortablePlayer&season=2011&season_type=ANY&sportCode=’mlb’&league_code=’NL’&split=&team_id=&active_sw=&game_type=’R’&position=’1’&sortOrder=’desc’&sortColumn=w&results=&page=1&perPage=50&timeframe=&extended=0&last_x_days=&ts=1317318333734&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+pitching
NL pitching saves statistics:
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=mlb&tcid=mm_mlb_stats#sectionType=sp&playerType=QUALIFIER&statType=pitching&page_type=SortablePlayer&season=2011&season_type=ANY&sportCode=’mlb’&league_code=’MLB’&split=&team_id=&active_sw=&game_type=’R’&position=’1’&sortOrder=’desc’&sortColumn=sv&results=&page=1&perPage=50&timeframe=&extended=0&last_x_days=&ts=1317318569187&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+pitching