Rookie of the Year update

now that we are close to a third of the way through the season let's see how our rookies are doing.

NL:

In the NL we have 8 candidates that stand out right now.

Sam Charles - Cincy - Through 45 games Sam has 11 home runs and 29 rbi's playing short for the Reds this year but his average is only .252 and he's committed 16 errors thus far. If he wants to be there at the end he'll need to raise that batting average some and keep hitting homeruns and driving in runs as well.

Domingo Jose - Cincy - Currently on the 15 day DL before he was hurt Domingo put up a .329 batting average with 9 bombs and 35 ribs thru 35 games. he'll be back soon and if he keeps up his pace hitting in the middle of the Reds order he has a chance to be near the top of the NL ROY list at the end of the year.

Spike Pellow - KC - Spike is hitting well. At a .382 clip in fact. add 5 home runs and 22 rbi and Spike has to get consideration, as of now at least. He's played in 43 games thus far but with a 73 durability he won't be able to keep up that pace. He should definitely be a candidate at the end of the season though.

Greg Woods - OKC - Greg Woods is going to be a monster. He already has the ratings to top this list though with a .272 batting average right now he may need to raise that considering some of the other rookies higher averages. his 18 home runs and 40 rbi top the list though and he's done that through 45 games. If he keeps it up it should put him over 60 hr and 120 rbi for the year.

Curtis Farrell - Trenton - Trenton has 2 candidates also as of now. Curtis is one hitting .316 with 7 dingers and 23 steaks through 43 games. He's been stealing some bags too which helps. Not bad but it doesn't put him on top yet.

Ivan Durazo - Trenton - Ivan is Trenton's other guy. Hitting .318, similar to Curtis, he has more rbi with 31 but only 3 homers though only through 35 games. I'd put them close to even right now which means they are both in the running but not in the lead.

Don Cintron - LA - Like Greg Woods, Don is playing for a team with a losing record which is not usually a factor for voters in a ROY race but who knows with these voters. Also like Spike and Ivan Don is a catcher that hits well. Currently with 10 homers, 24 knocked in and batting .314 through 45 games he's definitely in consideration.

J.C. Welch - Florida - The 2nd shortstop on this list and doing a bit better than Sam, J.C. is batting .315 with 6 home runs and 29 rbi through 38 games. He's also on the DL like Domingo but expected to back soon. His hitting will only get better as he progresses so look for him to climb the board this year.

If i had to rank them right now i think i'd go:

Woods
Domingo
Spike
and leave the other 5 about even.

AL:

Not as many on the list in the AL.

Helena has 3 rookies in the running...

Vicente Estrada - Helena - Although his average is down at .258 11 homers and 33 rbi's through 45 games put Vincente in the running. He also has 8 steals which will help.

Stephen Henley - Helena - perhaps not one you'd expect to be in the mix Stephen gets consideration due to his 24 ribs, 2 home runs, .284 average, and the kicker.... 39 stolen bases so far through 45 games. We may have a record in the making which may influence some votes come ballot time.

Cookie Olivares - Helena - Considering the scouting report on Cookie noone is sure how he's hitting .380 but he is. add 4 home runs and 19 rbi through 43 games and he gets a look. Can he keep that average up long enough to top the pack though is the question.

Abdul Riggs - Salt Lake - Those ever lovable Multiple Spouses have a couple guys on the list the first being Abdul (i want 100 multiple virgins) Riggs. 45 games played and only 1 home run, 20 rbi and a .277 batting average makes him a contender but not a favorite.

Tom Fordham - Salt Lake - The "veteran"" of the bunch Tom is already 27 years old but is a decent hitting 1b. It can be hard to vote for a first baseman for an award like this but Tom is trying to get some votes with his .368 batting average, 10 home runs and 28 rbi through 40 games played.

Brendan Hartman - Omaha - Brendon is batting .272 with 9 home runs and 18 rbi through 45 games. decent for sure but not stellar. we'll have to see how he fares at the end.

preemptive ranking:

Fordham
Cookie
Henley
and the rest...

We do have 4 pitchers in the AL and NL combined that are eligible for ROY but so far none have impressed this voter enough to be considered. The lone exception there may be George Obermueller of Tampa Bay who is having a decent year thus far, 3 - 0 3.86 era and 39 K's but i'll wait till the 2/3rds mark to see if he is keeping it up.

Next update the lists will be trimmed and there may be new additions as well as there were several guys getting significant playing time that could make a run.