SB Nation NL Rookie of the Year

by Eric Stephen on Nov 10, 2009 11:00 AM PST in News Comment 23 comments

In a very close vote, Tommy Hanson of the Braves won the SB Nation NL Rookie of the Year award, over J.A. Happ, Andrew McCutchen, and Chris Coghlan. Here are the results:

Rk	Player	Team	1st	2nd	3rd	Pts
1	Tommy Hanson	Atlanta Braves	9	9	6	78
2	J.A. Happ	Philadelphia Phillies	6	9	7	64
3	Andrew McCutchen	Pittsburgh Pirates	8	3	5	54
4	Chris Coghlan	Florida Marlins	7	5	4	54
5	Dexter Fowler	Colorado Rockies	-	3	1	10
6	Randy Wells	Chicago Cubs	-	-	6	6
7	Garrett Jones	Pittsburgh Pirates	1	-	-	5
8	Casey McGehee	Milwaukee Brewers	-	1	2	5
9	Seth Smith	Colorado Rockies	-	1	-	3

Hanson faced the Dodgers once this season and pitched decently enough, not allowing a run until the fifth inning. However, he had the misfortune of running into the buzz saw that was Jason Schmidt's turn back the clock game, where Schmidt allowed just one hit (and five walks!) in six scoreless innings. That game also marked George Sherrill's debut as a Dodger.

Here are the ballots that Phil & I submitted:

Phil: Hanson, Happ, McCutchen

Eric: Garrett Jones (yes, I was the one!), Hanson, Casey McGehee

I don't really have a legitimate excuse for not having Andrew McCutchen in my top three. I whiffed on that one.

Elvis Andrus of the Rangers won the SB Nation AL ROY award.

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McCutchen would have my vote.

by uclatroy on Nov 10, 2009 11:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The dude that voted for Seth Smith should be seriously bagged on, if I am correct in stating that Smith is not eligible for ROY. He was on Colorado’s 25-man roster for over 45 days in 2008, excluding the 40-man roster period: about two weeks in May/June, all of July and August.

A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Nov 10, 2009 11:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Which makes Garrett Jones only the second-worst vote in the poll. ;)

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Nov 10, 2009 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This means WAR!

2009
Andrew McCutchen – 3.4 wins above replacement
Randy Wells – 3.0
Garrett Jones – 2.6
Tommy Hanson – 2.6
Chris Coghlan – 2.3
Casey McGehee – 2.2
J.A. Happ – 1.8
Dexter Fowler – 0.7

by Eric Stephen on Nov 10, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like your Garrett Jones vote

I’d probably still have Hanson at #1, but Jones an OPS of .938 this year. He only played in 82 games, but that OPS is 70 points higher than Andre Ethier (he’s a year older than Ethier.)

by Michael White on Nov 10, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have trouble getting past the fact that he only played half a season. I guess in the age of Super-Two avoidance, we’re going to see a lot more four-month-ish ROYs.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Nov 10, 2009 1:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

True

or if someone is truly great, like Stretch, a 52-game season will be enough! :)

by Eric Stephen on Nov 10, 2009 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jones will be heavily watched next year

quite the divided camp on his future. I know some smart people who think he won’t even be playing by the all-star game once the pitchers figure him out.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 10, 2009 3:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We call that “pulling a Chris Shelton.” :)

by Eric Stephen on Nov 10, 2009 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Shelton

April 2006: .326/.404/.783, 10 HR in 25 games for the Tigers.

He didn’t end up making their playoff roster that season, and has has hit .245/.320/.351 in 453 PA from May 1, 2006 to present.

by Eric Stephen on Nov 10, 2009 3:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I never expected Shelton to be great

like that crazy start but I did expect him to be a productive right side of a DH/1st b base platoon. Much like Josh Phelps who also collapsed. Anyone remember Josh Phelps being on the BP cover one year?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 10, 2009 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That was the first BP I ever bought

by Eric Stephen on Nov 10, 2009 3:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

back then I just loved BP. First time I’d ever read baseball writing like that and it really helped restimulate my love for the game.

by meercatjohn on Nov 10, 2009 3:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Except

Shelton did it in the first half. Wouldn’t it be astonishing if he did work out, the Twins in a span of years would have given away David Ortiz and Garrett Jones. Two 1st baseman in their age 26 season given away for nothing.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 10, 2009 3:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or, which blogger was as bad as Jeremy Cothran, John Klima and Jay Paris who voted for Edinson Volquez for ROY when he wasn’t eligible.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Nov 10, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to wreck your fun

LA Observed says Jaime claims to have not had an affair via TJ.

by delias man on Nov 10, 2009 12:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

“I have never been with another man until the marriage broke up. Ever. Ever.” – Jamie McCourt

I believe that they claimed they separated in July. So within three months she’s with another man after 29+ years of marriage. I shouldn’t judge, I suppose, but if it were me, I’d be petrified for months even to ask a woman out for date.

The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.

by David Young on Nov 10, 2009 1:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs