AL Rookie of the Year
As the season comes to a close, we can examine possibilities for the Rookie of the Year awards. We can safely assume Corbin Carroll has a lead in the National League with a 4.0 fWAR, 21 HR, and 37 SB. Rookies like Matt McLain, Patrick Bailey, and Bobby Miller are attempting to catch up, but Carroll should win the award if he stays healthy and stays on pace with his current production. In the American League, the race is much less decided. Here are a few rookies that could win the AL Rookie of the Year award, contingent on how the next several weeks play out. It is possible that a different rookie has a big six weeks and sneaks into contention. More than likely, it’ll be one of these guys:
1) Josh Jung, 3B | Texas Rangers
Josh looked like he was running away with the ROY at one point, but has been slowed by the fracture in his thumb. Through 109 games, Jung is hitting .274/.323/.489 and has +3 OAA. He’s been a mainstay in the Rangers lineup and was good enough to beat Matt Chapman for the starting 3B of the All Star game. Unfortunately, the injury could push Jung to 2nd or 3rd finish since he won’t be available until the final weeks of the regular season.
2023 fWAR 2.7
2) Gunnar Henderson, 3B | Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar just turned 22 and already looks like an All Star. He’s hitting .238/.322/.455 and can provide + defense at both shortstop and third base. Gunnar is +1 OAA at 3B this year and 0 OAA at SS in 2023. Henderson is the personification of the rise of the Orioles and I expect him to be in the center of the Orioles success going forward. If Gunnar hits in the last six weeks of the season, the ROY award is his to lose.
2023 fWAR 2.5
3) Tanner Bibee, RHP | Cleveland Guardians
Tanner greatly surpassed expectations, deep in the Guardians prospect ranks prior to this season. Bibee is now front and center for the franchise, recording a 2.90 ERA over 19 starts, which is 2nd to JP France among AL Rookies over 100 innings pitched. Bibee has much better xERA than France, which does help his case ( 3.49 to 4.23). Bibee has a knack for keeping the ball in the park (.83 HR/9) and if he can put together a few more quality starts, he could become a favorite for the AL Rookie of the Year.
2023 fWAR 2.3
4) Edouard Julien, 2B | Minnesota Twins
Julien has been the most productive per game with two full WAR over just 70 games played. He’s hitting .293/.386/.486 and has been passable at 2B (-2 OAA). Edouard has a 145 wRC+ which is easily the best amongst the rookies. If he can keep up the production and continue to get at bats, he could make a case for himself.
2023 fWAR 2.0
Honorable Mentions: Yennier Cano, JP France, Hunter Brown, Luke Raley, Jose Caballero
*Stats are as of 8/18