Winning the Rookie of the Year award in MLB is no small task.
Each year, dozens of talented players are either called up early in the season or make their teams out of camp; helping them win and accumulating incredible credentials for individual awards.
This year, Houston Astros‘ young shortstop Jeremy Pena is doing everything he can to be considered the favorite to win the prestigious award in the American League.
“Jeremy Peña should win AL Rookie of the Year. Here are the stats where Peña ranks first among all ML rookies (min 150 PA): 2.5 WAR (1st); OFF 9.0 (1st); DEF 8.4 (1st); .277 AVG (1st); .471 SLG (1st); .805 OPS (1st); .350 wOBA (1st); 133 wRC+ (1st); 9 HR (1st); 7 OAA (1st); 7 DRS (1st),” Astros writer Michael Schwab tweeted.
Jeremy Peña should win AL Rookie of the Year.
Here are the stats where Peña ranks first among all ML rookies (min 150 PA):
2.5 WAR (1st)
OFF 9.0 (1st)
DEF 8.4 (1st)
.277 AVG (1st)
.471 SLG (1st)
.805 OPS (1st)
.350 wOBA (1st)
133 wRC+ (1st)
9 HR (1st)
7 OAA (1st)
7 DRS (1st) pic.twitter.com/IAzI8hFpB7— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) June 14, 2022
The Primary Candidate To Win The Award In The American League
The junior circuit is full of talented young players who could win the Rookie of the Year award: Bobby Witt Jr. has settled down after a rocky start, Spencer Torkelson remains supremely talented, while Joe Ryan and Julio Rodriguez have been excellent for their respective teams.
Yet, none of those players have a better case than Pena.
Not only is Pena an excellent offensive performer (numbers say he is comparable to the man he is replacing in Houston, Carlos Correa), but he contributes in every other facet of the game.
He hits for average, he has some decent game power, can run and steal bases, draws walks, and on top of all that, plays excellent defense at shortstop, one of the most important positions on the field.
Pena is really the real deal, and if the season ended today, he would be, hands down, the AL Rookie of the Year.
The season does not end today, however, so he will have to keep it up in order to get the award.
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