Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Puig and Ryu named to Baseball America's All-Rookie team

Congratulations goes out to Yasiel Puig and Hyun-Jin Ryu for being named to Baseball America's All-Rookie team on Tuesday.  The only other teams with multiple players chosen were the Cardinals (Matt Adams, Shelby Miller, Trevor Rosenthal) and the Braves (Evan Gattis, Julio Teheran).

Puig joins Wil Myers and A.J. Pollack in the outfield.  He was called up on June 3, and proceeded to hit .319 with 19 homers, 42 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.  There's no doubt that his style of play was a big factor in turning a dreadful Dodgers' season around, which lasted until Game 6 of the NLCS.  Plus, his cannon arm in right field made runners think twice about advancing an extra base, no matter where they were.

In addition to the Cardinals and Braves pitchers, Ryu is joined by Garrit Cole and Jose Fernandez (who took home the site's Rookie of the Year award).  His 192 innings were the most for any rookie.  He finished the season 14-8 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 154 K's.  Control and off speed pitchers were the key to his success, which proved to be a great change of pace from more powerful pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.

The official Rookie of the Year award by the BBWAA will come on November 11.  Do either Puig or Ryu have a chance of winning the top award?  For quite awhile I would've said yes to Puig, but probably not anymore.  It's a combination of Puig cooling off a bit towards the season's end, his not-so-great relationship with opposing players and the media, and Fernandez's scorching hot close to the season which most likely favors the Marlins' ace.

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