Winner: Huston Street, Oakland -- Story | Voting
User choice: Robinson Cano, NY Yankees
Scott Miller's prediction: Street. His numbers were nearly impeccable -- 23 saves in 27
opportunities, a 1.72 ERA and a .194 opponents' batting average -- and
there was enough buzz about him that I think he will win. In my
postseason awards column, I gave the nod to Yankees second baseman
Robinson Cano, based on the fact that he played every day, did a very
good job and was one of the key reasons why the Yankees ended up winning
another AL East crown. Keep an eye on Tampa Bay's Jonny Gomes, too.
The candidates
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Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers |
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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.
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| AB | HR | AVG | RBI | R | SB |
| 480 | 6 | .267 | 40 | 72 | 33 |
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Jeff Niemann, SP, Rays |
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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.
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| IP | W-L | SV | ERA | Ks | BB |
| 180.2 | 13-6 | 0 | 3.94 | 125 | 59 |
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Rick Porcello, SP, Tigers |
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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.
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| IP | W-L | SV | ERA | Ks | BB |
| 170.2 | 14-9 | 0 | 3.96 | 89 | 52 |
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Andrew Bailey, RP, Athletics |
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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.
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| IP | W-L | SV | ERA | Ks | BB |
| 83.1 | 6-3 | 26 | 1.84 | 91 | 24 |
Honorable mention: Gordon Beckham, White Sox, Matt Wieters, Orioles
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Poll
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Who should have won the AL Rookie of the Year?
| 3% | Other |
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| 7% | Jonny Gomes |
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| 32% | Huston Street |
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| 35% | Robinson Cano |
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| 23% | Tadahito Iguchi |
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| Total Votes: 731 |
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Past Results
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Year
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Rookie
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2005
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Huston Street, Oakland
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2004
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Bobby Crosby, Oakland
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2003
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Angel Berroa, Kansas City
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2002
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Eric Hinske, Toronto
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2001
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Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle
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Complete list
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