NL Rookie of the Year - Heyward has some competition

[ohiomike]

After being named the National League Player of the Week (not just rookie of the the week, but overall player of the week), I think its safe to say that David Freese of the St Louis Cardinals is going to give Heyward some competition for the ROY award in the national league. Heyward definitely has the edge after 1 month, but Freese is coming on strong and has solidly positioned himself in the #2 spot. Freese won't hit as many homers, but he will hit for a much higher average and strike out less, plus he's playing for a team who pretty much has their playoff ticket punched already. His minor league numbers back him up as being a legit everyday player. It might sound crazy now with all the hype swirling around Heyward, but don't be surprised if Freese hangs around all season and maybe even overtakes him when everything is said and done. No hype for Freese like there is for Heyward, but the performance will be there.

[mcdo0423]

wow, 25 games into a 162 game season and the Cardinals already are in the playoffs. I'm not saying they aren't going to make it but under 1/6 of the season over seems premature to go that far.

As for Freel, he is playing well. I would also think Ike Davis could also put up some decent numbers to try and make his case.

[dartguy180]

Frees is a sleeper, but watch out for the starting pitcher Jamie Garcia. The kid is having one hell of a start. Keeps it up he may be a rookie all star. just got another win tonight. ERA going into tonight was 1.04. And his curveball is as good as Wainwrights. He has great stuff. I may start picking up his rookie stuff.

[dustyshelf]

Freese is solid no doubt. But I feel that he'll have to do something really special to overtake Heyward for ROY (if Heyward continues to put up decent numbers).

A lot of people inside and outside the hobby have been on the Heyward love boat for quite some time.

[cardinalfan13]

Dont fall in love with heyward for the roy Jaime Garcia will have something to say about it
W L ERA G GS IP H R ER HR BB SO
3 1 1.13 5 5 32.0 19 6 4 0 13 23

[wolffer12]

Originally Posted by dustyshelf

A lot of people inside and outside the hobby have been on the Heyward love boat for quite some time.

The hobby doesn't decide the ROY the sports writers do and they are a lot smarter...

Signed,
Andrew Bailey and Chris Coglan

[dustyshelf]

Originally Posted by wolffer12

The hobby doesn't decide the ROY the sports writers do and they are a lot smarter...

Signed,
Andrew Bailey and Chris Coglan

Yes, and they LOVE Heyward.

[michaeltgraham]

Don't forget about Mike Leake!

5GS: 2-0; 2.94ERA; 33IP; 22K's

Pretty impressive for a guy with no professional experience!

[cdub6238]

Originally Posted by cardinalfan13

Dont fall in love with heyward for the roy Jaime Garcia will have something to say about it
W L ERA G GS IP H R ER HR BB SO
3 1 1.13 5 5 32.0 19 6 4 0 13 23

ok those are pretty good stats..but if u wanna throw him out there then why not a TRUE rookie

W 2, L 0, ERA 2.94, G 5, GS 5, H 28, IP 33.0, R 12, ER 11, HR 2, BB 16, SO 22

he has 1 win less, 1 more inning pitched, 2 HR allowed to 0 id still say very comparable, only 3 more walks, and 1 less SO....ill give Garcia the advantage in hits, R, ER and ERA...but everything is is damn near identical if not very close

oh yeah..im talking about Mike Leake, the guy with no minor league experience either...straight from college into the pros

only problem is he plays for my lowly Reds teamwho havent been known for their run support..so could endup tanking after awhile

[bmc398]

There is plenty of competition...but if Heyward hits 40 Hrs and can get his average to about .270 he'll win it hands down.

That is unless one of the pitchers pitches his team to a world series or makes a big big splash

[ohiomike]

Originally Posted by bmc398

There is plenty of competition...but if Heyward hits 40 Hrs and can get his average to about .270 he'll win it hands down.

That is unless one of the pitchers pitches his team to a world series or makes a big big splash

Well, considering Heyward doesn't have 40 home runs in his entire professional baseball career (both minor leagues and major leagues... over 900 at bats), I doubt he's going to get to that number his rookie season.

Realistically, Freese could end up with just as many or close to as many home runs as Heyward. After all, Heyward hit a HR 1 in every 30 minor league at-bats, where Freese hit a home run 1 in every 22 minor league at-bats. Obviously Heyward is still finding his power stroke so maybe sometime in his career he may reach 40 in a season, but it won't be this year.

Anyone expecting Heyward to actually continue this HR pace over a full season is just silly. Heyward could end up with 25-30 HR this season, and if he does it will be the best season he's ever had power wise.

[bmc398]

Originally Posted by ohiomike

Well, considering Heyward doesn't have 40 home runs in his entire professional baseball career (both minor leagues and major leagues... over 900 at bats), I doubt he's going to get to that number his rookie season.

Realistically, Freese could end up with just as many or close to as many home runs as Heyward. After all, Heyward hit a HR 1 in every 30 minor league at-bats, where Freese hit a home run 1 in every 22 minor league at-bats. Obviously Heyward is still finding his power stroke so maybe sometime in his career he may reach 40 in a season, but it won't be this year.

Anyone expecting Heyward to actually continue this HR pace over a full season is just silly. Heyward could end up with 25-30 HR this season, and if he does it will be the best season he's ever had power wise.

He's on pace to do it...and hasn't even been touching his career minor league batting average so I think there's only potential to grow in that area for him. I saw him 10+ games live in Rome and he's easily put on 20+ pounds even from where he was 24 months ago. He's got the stroke and while he's not that true #4 power hitter, HRs are the sexy stat and will get him the nod over anybody else, especially if nobody is within 10-15 of him.

[jbellis74]

Dont forget about Ike Davis also. He might end up with some interesting numbers by the end of the year

[bmc398]

Originally Posted by jbellis74

Dont forget about Ike Davis also. He might end up with some interesting numbers by the end of the year

No doubt. Its not on ice for Heyward by any means...but he's far and away the leader right now.

Because there are so many good rooks this year I think you'll see values blow up a ton, even on the RC logo stuff.

[toppsman]

Originally Posted by bmc398

There is plenty of competition...but if Heyward hits 40 Hrs and can get his average to about .270 he'll win it hands down.

That is unless one of the pitchers pitches his team to a world series or makes a big big splash

Won't matter if a rookie pitcher leads a team to the world series, awards are voted on at end of season before the playoffs.

[soonerfreak]

It could just be the Cubs in me but I feel like Tyler Colvin is having a great season. If the Cubs can get on a nice a streak I think it might show more. But as long as hes overshadowed by Heyward and the others will be easier to get his cards

[Aints Fan]

Braves' Heyward named NL Rookie of the Month - Baseball Wires - MiamiHerald.com

Do they do this every month of the season? Is this how they determine ROY?

[wee111]

ive never heard of this guy, thx for the heads up!

[dustyshelf]

J-Hey goes yard for the 8th time this season

[cardinalfan13]

Originally Posted by cdub6238

ok those are pretty good stats..but if u wanna throw him out there then why not a TRUE rookie

W 2, L 0, ERA 2.94, G 5, GS 5, H 28, IP 33.0, R 12, ER 11, HR 2, BB 16, SO 22

he has 1 win less, 1 more inning pitched, 2 HR allowed to 0 id still say very comparable, only 3 more walks, and 1 less SO....ill give Garcia the advantage in hits, R, ER and ERA...but everything is is damn near identical if not very close

oh yeah..im talking about Mike Leake, the guy with no minor league experience either...straight from college into the pros

only problem is he plays for my lowly Reds teamwho havent been known for their run support..so could endup tanking after awhile

why is garcia non a true rookie because he pitched in 3 games 2 years ago then had to have tommy john surgery 3 games is nothing leake is throwing well but he is only up in the majors because the reds had almost no other option plus he played college ball which garcia didnt

[ohiomike]

Originally Posted by cardinalfan13

why is garcia non a true rookie because he pitched in 3 games 2 years ago then had to have tommy john surgery 3 games is nothing leake is throwing well but he is only up in the majors because the reds had almost no other option plus he played college ball which garcia didnt

I think he meant Leake is a "true rookie" while the others are not because he never played minor league baseball. He went straight to the pros, so this is his rookie season in all of professional baseball, not just the majors. And while there is something to be said for that, its ultimately meaningless when it comes down to this award. Garcia has had the better season of the two pitchers so far (both have been really good, though), but I believe both are behind Heyward and Freese at this point. Its a long season though, a snapshot of the ROY race today will mean nothing come October, but its still fun to discuss.

[cdub6238]

another great performance by Leake today...

7 IP 4 H 3 R 3 ER 1 BB 6 SO

total: 3W 0L 40.2 IP 32 H 15 R 14 ER 3 HR 17 BB 28 SO 1.20 WHIP .222 BA 3.10 ERA

compared to Garcia

3W 2L 38.0 IP 26 H 7 R 5 ER 0 HR 15 BB 30 SO 1.08 WHIP .195 BA 1.18 ERA

i know Heyward is dominating as far as offense goes and i know its still early..but man how bout the season' these kids are having so far..has there been any dominant Rookie pitchers? i know theres been hype about Price, Joba etc...but has anyone actually put up the stats to back it up?

[cardinalfan13]

Garcia's stats year to date



W 3 L 2 ERA 1.18 G 6 GS 6 INN 38 H 26 R 7 ER 5 HR 0 HBP 1 BB 15 SO 30

[cdub6238]

umm yeah i think thats what i posted correct?

what was your point

[slappybag]

Originally Posted by ohiomike

After being named the National League Player of the Week (not just rookie of the the week, but overall player of the week), I think its safe to say that David Freese of the St Louis Cardinals is going to give Heyward some competition for the ROY award in the national league. Heyward definitely has the edge after 1 month, but Freese is coming on strong and has solidly positioned himself in the #2 spot. Freese won't hit as many homers, but he will hit for a much higher average and strike out less, plus he's playing for a team who pretty much has their playoff ticket punched already. His minor league numbers back him up as being a legit everyday player. It might sound crazy now with all the hype swirling around Heyward, but don't be surprised if Freese hangs around all season and maybe even overtakes him when everything is said and done. No hype for Freese like there is for Heyward, but the performance will be there.

It's the first F'ing week of May...give it time.