The Major League Baseball schedule has reached the season’s final month, and it’s time to start talking about whose name could be mentioned in the award races. In the American League Rookie of the Year award, it appeared like it was Josh Jung’s award to win for the Texas Rangers, but he suffered an injury and hasn’t played since August 6th. With Jung out, the award now appears like it’s down to a two-person race with the Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas in the race. A few names are also being mentioned, such as Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida and Cleveland Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee.
The Case for Triston Casas
Casas has been on fire since the All-Star break and has put his name in the hat to win the award, which has not been won by a member of the Boston Red Sox since 2007, when Dustin Pedroia won. Casas this season is slashing .268/.370/.501 with a .871 OPS; he has 20 doubles, two triples, 23 home runs, 60 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 65 walks in 124 games. He ranks tied for 28th in batting average in the American League, tied for sixth in OBP, tied for sixth in SLG, tied for sixth in OPS, tied for 19th in home runs, and tied for 42nd in RBI. Since the All-Star Break, Casas is slashing .340/.438/.673 with a 1.111 OPS; he has six doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 33 RBI, 29 runs scored, and 25 walks. Casas in that time also has a 42 wRC and a 193 wRC+. In that time Casas ranks fourth in the American League in batting average, third in OBP, second in SLG, second in OPS, tied for third in home runs, tied for ninth in RBI, tied for 15th in runs scored, and tied for eighth in walks. He’s also fourth in wRC and second in wRC+. He is also the leader in all those categories for American League rookies. With Jung now out and just about 3 ½ weeks left in the season, Casas can continue to prove his case for the award, and he should be able to take it home.
Triston Casas is just amazing with the amount of walks and being a big power hitter. His On Base Percentage is really good and that has to do with plate discipline. As a rookie I believe pitchers have to win 16 to 19 games because they don’t play every day, so I think it’s between Gunner Henderson and Triston Casas. If he stays hot through out September and hits 10 to 12 more homeruns he will win the Rookie of the Year.