AL ROY Race updated as of 9/25/09

American League Rookie of the Year Race tightens...... UPDATED as of 9/25/09

American League Rookie of the Year is an award that many young players started this year dreaming about. With just a little more than a week left in the 2009 season the stats have sorted out the contenders and pretenders. This is my third post about the AL ROY and the stats and opinions shown here are updated as of 9/25/09. The water has not gotten any clearer and the overall picture is a little blurry but, after a few more games for each position player, and at least one appearance for all of the starters my opinion may have changed again.

Matt Wieters C Baltimore


Games 86 Hits 91 Home Run 8 RBIs 38 BA .290

Wieters played a series at Toronto this week. In 13 at bats he had 1 home run, 2 doubles and 2 RBI's. Overall he collected 6 hits and only struck out 4 times. Wieters has also been strong behind the plate this year. His .990 Fielding percentage is testament to that. Wieters problem is he just was not brought up early enough to win the award this year......

Jeff Niemann Starting Pitcher Tampa Bay


Games 29 Wins 12 Losses 6 K's 117 ERA 3.81 WHIP 1.32

Niemann pitched against the Mariners this week. He lasted 6.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, 4 walks while striking out 5 batters. Ichiro took Niemann deep once and was the batter that forced Joe Maddon to pull Niemann in the 7th. With this no decision performance it is this bloggers opinion Niemann would have to have an almost perfect game to finish the season to take home the award.

Brett Anderson Starting Pitcher Oakland


Games 29 Wins 11 Losses 10 K's 139 ERA 4.21 WHIP 1.28

Brett Anderson beat the Rangers this week. He lasted 5.2 innings. The Rangers got 6 hits and 3 runs, but only 1 was earned. Anderson struck out 6 and won his 4th game in a row. He is heating up as the season is winding down.

Elvis Andrus Shortstop Texas


Games 135 Hits 120 Home Run 6 RBIs 34 BA .267

Andrus and the Rangers played the A's this week. He had 19 at bats, scored 4 runs with 3 hits. Elvis struck out 4 times. If Andrus wins the award though it will not be due to his offense. He has been outstanding at short for the Rangers this year. He does have 22 errors in 1163 innings. But his .967 fielding looks very good to Ranger fans.


Andrew Bailey Relief Pitcher Oakland


Games 64 Wins 6 Losses 3 K's 87 ERA 1.93 WHIP .91 SAVES 25

Bailey is still on a roll. He only had one non-save opportunity this week, but he struck out 2 and did not give up a hit. I believe Andrew Bailey is still the front runner in this race. He has only blown 4 saves all year. I bet the fans in Philly wish Bailey was there closer at this point.


Rick Porcello Starting Pitcher Detroit


Games 29 Wins 14 Losses 9 K's 80 ERA 4.14 WHIP 1.35

Porcello picked up a win agains the Indians this week. He gave up 1 run on six hits and 3 walks, but only lasted 5 innings. He now has 3 more wins then Niemann, and the Tigers are still playing meaningful ball. If the award is going to a starting pitcher, I would now say Porcello is the favorite.

Gordon Beckham 3B Chicago White Sox


Games 95 Hits 93 Home Run 13 RBIs 56 BA .266

Beckham is fading as the season drags on. He did have 3 hits and score 2 runs this week, but it is probably not enough for Gordon to bring home the bacon.






Wieters and Porcello are making a strong push at the AL ROY, but it looks like Bailey, the only All-Star, is not going anywhere and may in fact be adding to his slight lead in this race. Most of the pitchers should get at least one more start, and the position players will get a few more opportunities so a lot still could change.

VOTE IN THE POLL AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE FOR YOUR FAVORITE TO WIN THE AL ROY!!!!!!!

The Card Addict

AL Rookie of the Year UPDATE

About four days ago I wrote about the AL Rookie of the year and how tight the race was getting. My unofficial vote changed from my home town pitcher, Jeff Niemann, to the Oakland A's rookie closer, Andrew Bailey. Today is another day, and my vote is back up for grabs. Here are the most updated stats and my thoughts on who should win the award.

Matt Wieters C Baltimore

Games 83 Hits 83 Home Run 7 RBIs 36 BA .282

Wieters stock is rising but it is probably too little too late. Wieters bat has heated up and he has made some great plays behind the plate. He does however have two things working against him. 1. The number of games he has played, and 2. Baltimore is not a good team. If he had played all year and the O's were .500 he would be a sure fire AL ROY.

Jeff Niemann Starting Pitcher Tampa Bay

Games 27 Wins 12 Losses 6 K's 112 ERA 3.80 WHIP 1.32

Niemann has not pitched in the last 4 days. His next start will be against the Mariners tomorrow night.

Brett Anderson Starting Pitcher Oakland

Games 28 Wins 10 Losses 10 K's 139 ERA 4.21 WHIP 1.28

Anderson has won 3 games in a row and in his last outing had 10 strikeouts and went 6 innings. His biggest obstacle to winning the award may be his teammate Andrew Bailey!

Elvis Andrus Shortstop Texas

Games 131 Hits 117 Home Run 6 RBIs 34 BA .272

Andrus has been as steady as they come all year for the Rangers. His team has played very well, and many credit his defense for helping turn around the Rangers pitching staff this year. Andrus could be the front runner for the ROY award.


Andrew Bailey Relief Pitcher Oakland

Games 63 Wins 6 Losses 3 K's 85 ERA 1.95 WHIP .92 SAVES 25

Bailey has 4 saves this month and has lowered his era to 1.95. He had 3 strikeouts and earned the save in his last outing. The only thing going against Bailey is the fact that his team in not playing meaningful games. The voters for ROY tend to favor players on teams that are in contention at the end of the year.

Rickey Romero Starting Pitcher Toronto

Games 25 Wins 12 Losses 8 K's 119 ERA 4.22 WHIP 1.51
1-3 in September Lost his last start vs. the Rays

I am officailly taking Romero off of my list of contendors. He is just 1-3 this month and was beating by the Rays in his last outing. Comparing his stats to the rest of the starting pitchers this blogger just does not think Romero has much of a chance to win the award.

Rick Porcello Starting Pitcher Detroit

Games 28 Wins 13 Losses 9 K's 79 ERA 4.22 WHIP 1.33

Porcello lost to the Twins in his last game although it was a pretty good start. He went 6 innings giving up only 3 runs. Porcello is 2-1 in September. Porcello and the Tigers are still in the thick of a pennant race which could swing votes his way. Rick may be the dark horse in this race that crosses the finish line first.

Gordon Beckham 3B Chicago White Sox

Games 92 Hits 90 Home Run 12 RBIs 54 BA .266

Beckham seems to be running on fumes. Without a strong performance this week he may loose his spot in the running.

Brad Bergesen Starting Pitcher Baltimore

Games 19 Wins 7 Losses 5 K's 65 ERA 3.43 WHIP 1.28

Bergesen is on the 60 day IR he has most likely pitched in his last game this year. I am offically removing him from my list.

I have seen some articles about Nolan Riemold of the O's getting a push from Baltimore to win the award, but with him being shut down for the season with an achillies tendon problem he probably does not have the numbers to earn the award. Here is his current stat line:

Games 104 Hits 100 Home Run 15 RBIs 45 BA .279

4 more days of stats and my vote is still going to Andrew Bailey. Wieters has played very well, and Brett Anderson was very impressive in his last start, the future is bright for the A's. If Niemann can put together a couple more wins he could take the trophy. Rick Porcello is also still very much in the hunt because he is playing for a pennant and a couple of pressure packed wins would go a long way in the eyes of the voters. The next 3 weeks worth of games should be very exciting.

The Card Addict

American League Rookie of the Year Race tightens......

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Jeff Niemann possibly winning the AL rookie of the year award. I also put up a survey to see who everyone else thinks should be the AL ROY. Here is an update on that post along with some stats that show the race has tightened.

Matt Wieters C Baltimore

Games 79 Hits 78 Home Run 7 RBIs 35 BA .273

Wieters threw out Carl Crawford two times in last nights game! If this guy would have played the full year I believe he would have been the hands down winner of the ROY award.

Jeff Niemann Starting Pitcher Tampa Bay

Games 27 Wins 12 Losses 6 K's 112 ERA 3.80 WHIP 1.32

Niemann was my vote a few weeks ago, and has pitched pretty well, but I think my vote is starting to be swayed to the only closer on my this list. He had a real bad outing against Baltimore this week. Going a little over 4 innings giving up 6 earned runs and 11 hits.

Brett Anderson Starting Pitcher Oakland

Games 27 Wins 9 Losses 10 K's 129 ERA 4.37 WHIP 1.29

Andersons numbers are comparable to Niemann considering Oaklands team record, 67-78. If this award is going to a starting pitcher, Niemann is still the leader.

Elvis Andrus Shortstop Texas

Games 129 Hits 114 Home Run 6 RBIs 33 BA .273

Andrus has done a very good job all year at short for the Rangers however Wieters numbers are a little bit better and he has played 36 fewer games. Andrus has a bright future and it looks like the Rangers have a steady SS for years to come.



Andrew Bailey Relief Pitcher Oakland

Games 62 Wins 6 Losses 3 K's 82 ERA 1.98 WHIP .92 SAVES 24

Bailey is one of the league leaders in ERA, K's and WHIP for relievers. He also has 24 saves and 6 wins. If the ROY race were to end today, I would have to give the AL version of the award to this hard throwing A's closer. He has an electric fastball, good curve, and effective cutter. He seems to be able to throw all three pitches to righties and lefties for strikes.

Rickey Romero Starting Pitcher Toronto

Games 25 Wins 12 Losses 8 K's 119 ERA 4.22 WHIP 1.51

I think Romero has some very strong stats considering he is pitching in Toronto and playing against the AL East, but his numbers are not as strong as Niemann or Bailey in this bloggers opinion.

Rick Porcello Starting Pitcher Detroit

Games 27 Wins 13 Losses 8 K's 78 ERA 4.21 WHIP 1.33

Porcello also has good numbers for a rook, but again not quite up to the level of Bailey or Niemann. Most of these starting pitchers should get a couple more starts this season, so a lot could change, and any of them could be awarded ROY.

Gordon Beckham 3B Chicago White Sox

Games 88 Hits 88 Home Run 12 RBIs 54 BA .274

Beckham has been solid at third this year for the sox, but he is in the same situation as Wieters, just not enough games to put up the stats needed to win the award. Unless he has a great final month and can put up big numbers, I think this award is going to a pitcher.

Brad Bergesen Starting Pitcher Baltimore

Games 19 Wins 7 Losses 5 K's 65 ERA 3.43 WHIP 1.28

Bergesen is on the 60 day IR he has most likely pitched in his last game this year.

So after looking over the stats I think if the season were over tomorrow, I would give the award to ANDREW BAILEY. That is right I said Bailey. I am a huge Rays fan, and have really enjoyed watching Niemann pitch this year, but Bailey has been really good for the A's and is one of the AL's better closers right now. I still think Niemann has a really good shot at taking this award home with a couple more quality starts this year.

The Card Addict

Jeff Niemann Rookie of the Year?????

The Tampa Rays hoped beginning the season one of their starting pitchers would have a chance to win the A.L. Rookie of the Year award. What they did not know was that pitchers name would be Jeff Niemann. Most people believed David Price was a ROY candidate coming off his strong '08 post season performance. It only seemed logical that he would continue his success and have a shot at the AL ROY trophy. Poor control and high pitch counts have kept the "Price from being Right" most of his rookie campaign.

While Price struggled, Jeff Niemann is quietly putting together a very solid rookie year. He threw a gem of a game tonight against the Baltimore O's to push his record to 11-5. He went 7 1/3 innings tonight giving up only a solo shot to Brian Roberts before being pulled. He gave up seven hits and had 5 K's. He lowered his ERA to 3.71, and got his eleventh win, both tops on the Rays staff. Niemann has be arguably the best starter for the Rays this year.

His ERA and BAA are both in the top 20 of all AL pitchers, he has 2 complete game shutouts, and 81 Ks. He is now 6-1 since June 16th.

Niemann was the Rays first pick in the 2004 draft, fourth overall. He made his major league debut on April 13, 2008 against the Baltimore O's. Niemann was out of options starting spring training this year so the Rays were forced to give him a starting spot to keep him from being exposed to waivers. Sometimes having your hand forced can be a good thing, especially if you are the Rays!

There are some other great looking Rookies this year, Brett Anderson LHP of Oak, Elvis Andrus SS Texas, Brad Bergesen RHP Bal, Gordon Beckham 3B Chi, Matt Wieters C Bal, Andrew Bailey RHP Oak, Rick Porcello RHP Det, Ricky Romero LHP Toronto, but if by some miracle the Rays can catch Texas and Boston and win the AL Wild Card I look for Tampa to have their second American League Rookie of the Year!

Go over to the EBAY and pick up a couple of Niemann rookie cards while you can: