There are several players who had a fine showing in their major league rookie campaign in 2015. The future of major league baseball looks promising with such up-and-coming stars as Kris Bryant, Matt Duffy, Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Stephen Piscotty, Joc Pederson, Addison Russell, Miguel Sano, Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Rodon, Chris Heston, Roberto Osuna, Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler and Lance McCullers to name a few.
But the league Rookie of the Year awards should be given to Bryant of the Cubs in the N.L. and Correa of the Astros in the A.L.
Bryant led or tied all major league rookies in games (151), runs (87), doubles (31), home runs (26), and RBI (99). He also became only the second rookie in big league history to hit two grand slams and two walk-off home runs, matching the mark set by Wally Westlake of the Pirates in 1947.
Bryant is a star in the making who will blend in nicely as the face of MLB—with such stars as Mike Trout and Bryce Harper—with his impressive all-around play on the field and a personality that displays pure class.
The A.L. recipient for top rookie honors should go to Houston shortstop Carlos Correa, who at age 20 played like a veteran and displayed promise to become one of the game’s best players. In the 99 regular season games he played, the 6-4, 210-pound right-handed batter hit .279 with a .512 slugging percentage, 22 doubles, 22 home runs, 52 runs and 68 RBI. He is one of only six players to finish his rookie season in the majors with 20 or more homers before reaching the age of 21. The others to match this include Willie Mays, Eddie Mathews, Tony Conigliaro, Bryce Harper and Giancarlo Stanton.
Correa’s defensive work is another promising tool as he displays the maturity to play such a demanding position with a strong arm, great range, quick hands and outstanding instincts.
Bryant and Correa should be easy choices for the league Rookie of the Year honors because they have the numbers to back it and the future to be two of the top all-around players in baseball.
But the league Rookie of the Year awards should be given to Bryant of the Cubs in the N.L. and Correa of the Astros in the A.L.
Bryant led or tied all major league rookies in games (151), runs (87), doubles (31), home runs (26), and RBI (99). He also became only the second rookie in big league history to hit two grand slams and two walk-off home runs, matching the mark set by Wally Westlake of the Pirates in 1947.
Bryant is a star in the making who will blend in nicely as the face of MLB—with such stars as Mike Trout and Bryce Harper—with his impressive all-around play on the field and a personality that displays pure class.
The A.L. recipient for top rookie honors should go to Houston shortstop Carlos Correa, who at age 20 played like a veteran and displayed promise to become one of the game’s best players. In the 99 regular season games he played, the 6-4, 210-pound right-handed batter hit .279 with a .512 slugging percentage, 22 doubles, 22 home runs, 52 runs and 68 RBI. He is one of only six players to finish his rookie season in the majors with 20 or more homers before reaching the age of 21. The others to match this include Willie Mays, Eddie Mathews, Tony Conigliaro, Bryce Harper and Giancarlo Stanton.
Correa’s defensive work is another promising tool as he displays the maturity to play such a demanding position with a strong arm, great range, quick hands and outstanding instincts.
Bryant and Correa should be easy choices for the league Rookie of the Year honors because they have the numbers to back it and the future to be two of the top all-around players in baseball.
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