An August projection for Rookies of the Year: American League Pitchers (part 2 in a 4 part series)

This is the second in a 4 part series in determining who could the American and National League Rookie of the Year. We started off with American League hitters, now it's time for American League Pitchers.

Here are the 3 top candidates from LOT:

Jeremy Hellickson: Tampa Bay Rays:  You know you are a possible front runner when you win the AL Pitcher of the Month Award and the AL Rookie of the Month award at the same time. Hellickson certainly has pushed himself above the majority of the rookie pitchers by doing this. Though his won-loss record says otherwise, (10-7) his ERA is lower than any of the other rookie starters, including potential competitor Ivan Nova, who has 3 losses fewer. Hellickson also has more strikeouts than any other pitcher except for Mariners starder Michael Pineda, and is the only pitcher in this class to have thrown a shutout. Hellickson does have a couple strikes on him, like his rookie-leading 14 home runs, and his 45 walks, 3rd most among his class, but otherwise, if he can have another monster month like he did in May, he could be an easy choice for the award.

Aaron Crow: Kansas City Royals: Crow is only a reliever, not even a closer, yet, but eventually someone will have to replace the ineffective Joakim Soria, and Crow seems to be the perfect fit. Crow was a draft dodger in 2008 when the Washington Nationals drafted him 8th overall, but he did come back and get drafted by his home-state Royals. So far, the decision seems to have paid off. Crow was one of two rookies selected to this year's American League All Star team (Los Angeles Angels closer Jordan Walden was the other), and currently he leads all rookies, including starters in ERA with a miniscule 1.76 mark. Though his other stats are average at best, it wouldn't surprise me if Crow got a first place vote.


Jordan Walden: Los Angeles Angels: To be completely honest, I hate Walden. I don't know why, maybe it's because he's really good. Disregarding my hatred, Walden's best qualities are his low ERA at 2.91, his first all-star selection, and last but not least, his 24 saves, which lead all AL rookies and all but 4 AL closers. Walden is in a class by his own, and the writers who vote this fall should make note of that, If Walden is able to have a Neftali Feliz-like season, it could pay off for him, and he could run away with the award.





The next post will focus on NL hitters who could win the NL rookie of the Year award.