MLB ROY Candidates

*FAN SUBMISSION by Dan Russell of Canada.  Follow him on Twitter @danrussell67.*

Being that we’re a third through the season, I thought it would be a good time to speculate the favorites for Rookie of the Year. In the American League, the race is a little tighter, not because they have better rookies, but because of where the National League currently stands with a great race for ROY heating up.

Coming into June, Aaron Hicks (from the Twins) leads the American League in home runs, but has a batting average of .165; unless he starts hitting the ball with more consistency, I’d say it’s safe to fade him away in the race. But with some recent call-ups, like Jurikson Profar from the Rangers, we might see some other power-hitters and prospects reach the minimum number of at-bats to qualify, so I will consider them as well.

American League Rookie of The Year Prospects

Number 1: Conor Gillaspie (Chicago White Sox Third Basemen) has been a pleasant welcome to the majors, both in the field and in the batter’s box, where he is hitting .283 with three home runs in 138 at-bats over 46 games. He has led all AL Rookies in games played, along with Aaron Hicks.

Number 2: J. B. Shuck (Los Angeles Angels’ Outfielder), with a respectable .292 average, has recently returned to the bottom of the line-up with Eric Aybar going back to the lead-off spot. However, he has made it hard for the Angels to take him out , as he has shown some speed. While he has no home runs, he does have six extra base hits in 96 at-bats. So far, the bottom of the line-up should take some pressure off him, and I expect him to at least maintain his batting average.

Number 3: Brandon Barnes (Houston Astros’ Center Fielder) is hitting over what was expected of him, and with the Astros sending Robbie Grossman back  to AAA, Barnes will get even more playing time in center field. He is hitting .315, with two home runs and 11 RBIs, on a very poor hitting team. When all is said and done, he could definitely be one of the bright spots of a long Astros season.

Courtesy: CBS Sports

Number 4: Jurickson Profar (Texas Rangers’ Second Baseman) has been able to see day to day action after the door opened up with the recent injury to Ian Kinsler. He’s off to a great start, batting .304 in his first seven games of the year. I’ve added him and expect him to reach the minimum plate appearances. Even when Kinsler does comes back, it will be hard to take Profar out of the line-up; the Rangers may choose to platoon him or use Kinsler as a DH or Left Fielder.

Number 5: Aaron Hicks (Minnesota Twins’ Center Fielder) started the season hitting atop the order for the Twins, but has recently gone down to the bottom of the line-up, which is perhaps a good move. He has shown glimpses of power with six home runs, but with a batting average under .200, it would take a lot more home runs to earn Rookie of the Year. However, he is a player with a lot of promise, and displays a good glove in center.

National League Rookie of The Year Prospects 

Number 1: Evan Gattis (Atlanta Braves Catcher/Outfielder) leads all rookies in home runs with 12 and nobody is even close to catching up. Offensively, it looks like he’s one run away from winning it, unless the Dodgers’ not-so-young rookie pitcher posts a no-hitter and continues to win .Gattis is a player with a great story, who got a great chance when McCann was healing from surgery; he can catch or play the outfield, and is an everyday player poised for success, blessed with a country strong fast bat .

Number 2: Hyun-Jin Ryu (Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher), a South Korean professional, may not be a rookie in the truest sense, but he is still a rookie to MLB and has shown that he has a great arm; he has struck-out 61-batters over 71-innings this year .With injuries and a rotation that needs a number three and four man, Ryu has logged a lot of innings and will continue to do so.

Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

Number 3: Marcell Ozuna (Miami Marlins Outfielder) has been filling in for the injured Giancarlo Stanton, and boy, has he made the most of this opportunity; he hit .317 in his first 100 at-bats, and finds himself atop the order for the Marlins, currently in a seven game hitting streak.  No date has been set for Stanton’s return, which further benefits Marcell Ozuna to showcase his skills.

Number 4: Didi Gregorious (Arizona Diamondbacks’ Shortstop) is also hitting over .300, with signs of power having four home runs. Most nights, he has benefited from hitting third for Arizona. With Aaron Hill’s return, Gregorious could see his playing time diminish, but if he keeps producing, it will be hard for the Diamondbacks to get him out of the line-up.

Number 5: Shelby Miller (St. Louis Cardinals’ Pitcher) got off to a torrid start, but has since come back down-to-earth. I expect – as scouting reports circulate – the hitters will catch-up with him somewhat. However, he has still shows that he is mature and isn’t easily bothered, as he pitches well on the road, including wins at Coors Field and Nationals Stadium. He also leads all NL rookies with 65 K’s in 62-innings and is now 5-3.

I think we would all have to agree that Matt Harvey (from the Mets) is the best young arm, and would have been the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. However, he just reached the limit last season, which takes him out of the race this season. The National League seems to have some more deserving stats to make for a great debate in the weeks to come, and with weak American League pitching, we will hopefully see some more of the young guns rise to the top as the call-ups in June arrive and as pennant races heat up.