2009 AL Rookie of the Year

CBSSports.com staff

Winner: Andrew Bailey, Athletics -- Story | Voting Results
User Choice: Rick Porcello, Tigers
Scott Miller's prediction: Elvis Andrus, Rangers.
You're going to hear much from the White Sox's Gordon Beckham, Detroit's Rick Porcello and Oakland's Andrew Bailey. And maybe in other years, each of them would handily win the Rookie award. But even without flashy numbers, I just do not see how people can overlook Andrus' overall contributions in 2009: His play at shortstop was the most important facet of Texas' important and mostly successful shift toward pitching and defense this summer. He committed 22 errors but mostly was dependable. He was solid enough that the Rangers moved their heart and soul, Michael Young, over to third base and left him there. And he handled himself well enough at the plate. If Andrus doesn't win, something's wrong.

The candidates

Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers

If Andrus wins the award, he would be the first Rangers player to win since Mike Hargrove in 1974. He was the highly-touted prospect with exceptional defense and arrived in the majors meeting all expectations. With a lackluster pitching staff, his defense helped keep the Rangers in contention. He also managed to be productive offensively and was able to steal 33 bases, tied with Cecil Espy's club record for rookies back in 1988.

AB	HR	AVG	RBI	R	SB
480	6	.267	40	72	33

	Jeff Niemann, SP, Rays
	He entered the season in competition for the fifth spot, but ended up leading the Rays in wins (13) and threw two complete-game shutouts. Instead David Price, the Rays' No. 1 pick in 2007, impacting the club in ’09 it was Niemann. The triple threat of Niemann, Price and Wade Davis leave the Rays’ loaded with young pitching talent.

IP	W-L	SV	ERA	Ks	BB
180.2	13-6	0	3.94	125	59

Rick Porcello, SP, Tigers

Tigers Manager Jim Leyland had enough confidence in his 20-year-old rookie starter that Porcello was tagged to pitch the AL tiebreaker where he performed like a seasoned veteran under the pressure. Like Niemann, Porcello was a surprise to make the rotation out of spring training and tallied 14 wins for the Tigers (second only to Justin Verlander’s 19). He finished the season as one of four pitchers to win 14 or more games 20 years old or younger.

IP	W-L	SV	ERA	Ks	BB
170.2	14-9	0	3.96	89	52

	Andrew Bailey, RP, Athletics
	Bailey managed to swipe the closers job from Brad Ziegler in the beginning of the season and the A’s never looked back. Bailey saved 26 games in 30 opportunities and kept his era below a 2.00. He was the only rookie on both All-Star rosters and he set a new club record for saves by a rookie – besting Huston Street’s 23 saves in 2005, the same season he was named AL Rookie of the Year.