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Article: Twins Trio Tops AL Rookie of the Year Candidates

Cody Christie
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Cody Christie MVP

Cody Christie

Twins Daily Contributor
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It's the most wonderful time of the year.

 

Well, baseball fans think it is the most wonderful time of the year because spring training workouts are in full swing, games are being played, and the first regular season action is right around the corner. With the beginning of the season, there comes a lot of prognostication as writers from across the baseball world attempt to select the division winners, award winners, and breakout players.

 

Selecting rookie of the year candidates can be a tough accomplishment at this point in the season. Some teams might keep players in the minor leagues until later in the season to gain more team control. Other rookies might go back and forth between the high levels of the minors and the 25-man roster.

 

By many accounts, Minnesota could have three players in the running for the top rookie player in the American League. Miguel Sano was a finalist for the award last season but finished in a distant third place. Each of the following players will be attempting to be the first Twin to take home the hardware since Marty Cordova in 1995.

 

Jose Berrios

Why He Should Win

Berrios has been slowly creeping up national prospect lists as he has dominated the upper levels of the minor leagues over the last two seasons. Last year, he led the minors in strikeouts and many Twins fans were clamoring to see him debut while the team was still in postseason contention. Many eyes will be on him as he makes his debut so this could set-up for him to shine while being in the spotlight. Combine his outstanding control with a tenacious work ethic and there's a recipe for a breakout star waiting to happen.

 

Why He Won't Win

There's little chance he will start the year in the Twins rotation. Other players like Tyler Duffey, Tommy Milone, Trevor May, or even Ricky Nolasco could get a shot to start before Berrios. He's also not on the 40-man roster at this point so the Twins would need to make room for him before his debut. Minnesota will keep him in the minors until at least June to avoid the Super-2 deadline and pick up an extra year of service. Also, his innings have been limited in the past but the Twins have already said that he won't be limited this season.

 

Byron Buxton

Why He Should Win

Buxton's name is well known in baseball circles as he has been considered one of baseball's top prospects since being drafted by the Twins. If he's able to show some offensive improvements, there's no doubt that the other parts of his overall game would carry him to this award. He has the potential to be a base-running threat and to be one of the best defensive center fielders in the game. If his name is on the ballot, there's a good chance that the national writers will strongly consider him for the honor on name recognition alone.

 

Why He Won't Win

His offensive skills didn't shine through during his first taste of the big leagues and his playing time was inconsistent since the Twins were in the thick of the playoff race. There's also a chance that Minnesota could start Buxton at Rochester to let him build some confidence to start the season. If he struggles again on the offensive side of the ball, it would be a challenge for him to earn this award. The name recognition is there but he would need to be capable with the bat in order to be considered one of the three finalists.

 

Byung Ho Park

Why He Should Win

The Twins are going to want to give their new international signee as many opportunities as possible to be successful. This could mean the team will continue to play him even if he struggles. The Pirates Jung Ho Kang finished third in last year's National League Rookie of the Year balloting so the voters have recently considered a Korean for the top rookie honor. Park has shown tremendous power in Korea and the Twins hope he can translate that to the big league level. If he is putting up solid power numbers and playing on a consistent basis, he should be in the discussion by season's end.

 

Why He Won't Win

Transitioning from Korea to America can be a tough endeavor. There's a cultural and language barrier, plus the level of competition jumps significantly. Since the beginning of 2014, Park averaged over 150 strikeouts per season. He has struck out in over 30% of his at-bats. If that trend continues, or if he raises those marks, it might be hard for voters to take him seriously. Minnesota could use Park in a platoon with Oswaldo Arcia and that would also cut back on the number of at-bats he receives.

 

Who do you think has the best shot at winning the award? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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alarp33 GCL Twins

alarp33

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I'd wait for Berrios and Buxton (and maybe even Park) to make the team first and then declare them ROY candidates...   At this point they are 25 man roster candidates.

 

Like Carlos Correa last year??

 

Or Meyers, Trout... 3 of the last 4 AL rookies of the year didn't start the season in the Majors.  

Edited by alarp33
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alarp33 GCL Twins

alarp33

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Anyone know, off hand, who are the expected impact rookies in the AL besides our three? 

 

There really aren't many, most of the top prospects close to or in the Majors to start the year are from the NL.  

 

Joey Gallo, who the Rangers don't have a spot in the lineup for. A.J. Reed for Hou, Blake Snell for TB

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Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

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I'd wait for Berrios and Buxton (and maybe even Park) to make the team first and then declare them ROY candidates...   At this point they are 25 man roster candidates.

 

Yeah, we'd hate to speculate too much before the season started or be optimistic or anything. 

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big dog GCL Twins

big dog

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 Here's MLB.com's version

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157518896/2016-rookie-of-the-year-award-favorites

 

"Byron Buxton, Twins
Yes, he's still technically a prospect, just barely."

 

Take it for what it's worth.

I think the writer means he is still a rookie by having one fewer at-bat than the minimum last year, so he's technically a prospect even though he was in the majors for quite a while.  I don't think that is a commentary on his ability.

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birddog College Ball

birddog

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I'm so excited for the Twins that I'm already checking box scores by the 3rd inning. I like the chances of all three in this article and agree that Kepler has a legitimate shot too. Watched Berrios pitch his game the other day as he was all over the place, but I loved his reply about his less than perfect outing: "next time I'll be great." I love the confidence some of these young kids exude and can't wait to see them at TF. It's been since Johann Santana that my son and I would go to a game at the last minute because he was pitching, but I think Berrios will have the same effect.

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dxpavelka First Round Pick

dxpavelka

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There really aren't many, most of the top prospects close to or in the Majors to start the year are from the NL.  

 

Joey Gallo, who the Rangers don't have a spot in the lineup for. A.J. Reed for Hou, Blake Snell for TB

Aaron Judge is just an old guy with a big nearly expiring contract falling and breaking a hip away from taking Yankee Stadium by storm. 

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bluechipper GCL Twins

bluechipper

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Aaron Judge is just an old guy with a big nearly expiring contract falling and breaking a hip away from taking Yankee Stadium by storm.

 

Judge had under an .800 ops last year as a 23 year old in AA and AAA with 155 strikeouts. He's a physical freak, but I'm not sure he's going to tear up the majors this year. Part of this negative comment may have to do with how I feel about the organization he plays for...
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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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I suspect Buxton and Berrios both spend a lot of time in AAA this season.  In Buxton's case, he needs to show something to send to the majors, and in Berrios's case, there's no room for him short of a late call up for BP duty (this assumes of course that no trades/cuts are made).  Park on the other hand, I'll be surprised if he doesn't go north with the team.  On that note though, does he have 3 options in that contract should he need AAA seasoning?

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Lee-The-Twins-Fan College Ball

Lee-The-Twins-Fan

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Yeah, we'd hate to speculate too much before the season started or be optimistic or anything. 

No sarcasm there, is there?

 

Seriously, the Twins do have three really good rookie candidates. I think Kepler will have to wait (for ROY consideration) until 2017. Too much competition for outfield playing time for him.  

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alarp33 GCL Twins

alarp33

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I suspect Buxton and Berrios both spend a lot of time in AAA this season.  In Buxton's case, he needs to show something to send to the majors, and in Berrios's case, there's no room for him short of a late call up for BP duty (this assumes of course that no trades/cuts are made).  Park on the other hand, I'll be surprised if he doesn't go north with the team.  On that note though, does he have 3 options in that contract should he need AAA seasoning?

 

I suspect you are very wrong.  If both are healthy, Buxton has > 500 PA in ML, Berrios makes > 25 starts

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dxpavelka First Round Pick

dxpavelka

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Judge had under an .800 ops last year as a 23 year old in AA and AAA with 155 strikeouts. He's a physical freak, but I'm not sure he's going to tear up the majors this year. Part of this negative comment may have to do with how I feel about the organization he plays for...

Like I said, he's only gonna get the chance if a lot of stuff goes wrong in the Zoo.  But he's someone who, given the opportunity, I got a feeling he'll run with it.  That said, he's not even the first guy named Aaron who is in line for increased opportunity there.

 

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bluechipper GCL Twins

bluechipper

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Isn't Meyer going to be the shut down reliever? Sooner or later, a reliever is going to be ROY,  might as well be Meyer

Just for the record, Neftali Feliz won the ROY in 2010, with 40 saves, a 2.73 ERA and 9.2 K/9. Hopefully Alex Meyer can put up those types of ERA and strikeout numbers as a reliever.

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h2oface Cedar Rapids Kernels

h2oface

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You mean like he has throughout his minor league career?

 

Exactly. Well, most of his minor league career, some pretty bad stretches aside. Yup. It sure would be nice for it to show up tout de suite. Exactly. 

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