Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
As we near the end of August and head into September, we’re not only seeing playoff races heat up, but award races as well. In the case of the league’s top rookies, the National League Rookie of the Year Award has several outstanding candidates and no clear cut winner. Not so much the case in the American League.
The candidates to take home some hardware among first year players are not in as high a quantity. The highest profile name among them is Wil Myers, who was called up earlier this summer and has had some serious success with the Tampa Bay Rays. However, having only been around since the end of June, is Myers the favorite?
Luckily for him, there aren’t too many that will compete with him for the award. Jose Iglesias is one candidate, but outside of getting on base and playing solid defense, he hasn’t been a major impact player. His biggest competition might come from his own team, in the form of starter Chris Archer.
Despite the fact that he’s only appeared in 48 games to this point, it’s tough to make a case against Myers as the American League’s top rookie. After a slow start, he’s run his average up to .319 on the year, with nine home runs, just one behind the rookie lead in the AL. His numbers are the best, offensively, among rookies.
Aside from being second in home runs, he’s no. 1 in batting average and on-base percentage, getting on base at a terrific .372 clip. He’s knocked in more runs than any other American League rookie, with 37. The fact that he’s played in so many less games should have no bearing on whether or not he takes home the award.
