Longoria/Soto Win Rookie of the Year

Everyone knew Longoria was going to win AL Rookie of the Year. Actually, if he hadn't of got hurt there was a good shot that he could've won AL MVP. Basically, the kid is a stud. Longoria batted .272 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs, which is damn impressive since he missed over a month with a broken wrist. Tampa is going to be a scary team for a long time, and Longoria will be in the center of that young lineup.

You don't see catchers win many aways, but Soto definitely deserve it. Soto hit .285 with 23 homers, and 86 RBIs. Imagine if the Sox could get production like that from their catcher? Anyways, Soto becomes first catcher to win rookie of the year in either league since Mike Piazza of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1993.

Both of these players deserved their awards, and I think they both will be great players for years to come. Unlike Bobby Crosby, or Huston Street...who won it for the AL in 2004, and 2005.

-BMack

Longoria Emerges As A.L.’s Top Rookie.

If there was any debate prior to this weekend over who the American League Rookie of the Year would be, the dust has cleared and Evan Longoria is a no-brainer for the award. Even almighty is hitting .275 with 15 homers and 50 RBI’s, he is on pace for a terrific season and has charged the Rays offense to a 52-32 record, good for first place in the A.L. East. Longoria has cut down on the strikeouts and seems to have figured out big league pitching. Over the last 30 days, he has batted .330, driven in 22 runs, and jacked 8 homers. Even if he shits the bed in the second half (which I can’t see happening) his numbers will probably be around .250/20/85, which is not all that bad for a rookie. I think a more reasonable prediction will be along the lines of .270/33/105, and some hardware at the end of the season.

If not for Longoria then the Red Sox would no doubt have back-to-back Rookie of the Year recipients. Jacoby Ellsbury was my lock for this season’s award. Unfortunately, homeruns, RBI’s and slugging percentage are much more appealing then stolen bases. Ellsbury has 35 stolen bases and is on pace for 65-70 depending on his health and second half consistency. He is batting .267 with 5 homers and 24 RBI’s this season.

-Brian B