Article: Twins' 2016 ROY Candidates

[Ted Schwerzler]

Earlier this week, the Rookie of the Year awards were unveiled. In the BBWAA balloting, Carlos Correa picked up the AL honors. However, it was Miguel Sano who finished in third place with 172 points and seven first place votes. Looking at the BBWAA balloting, Sano once again finished third with teammate Eddie Rosario coming in sixth. An impressive finish for the two however, is merely a foreshadowing of what is to come.The last Minnesota Twins player to win Rookie of the Year honors was Marty Cordova. That honor was bestowed two decades ago, back in 1995. Looking ahead to 2016 however, it's probably fair to argue that the home team has the deck stacked in its favor.

 

First and foremost, the odds-on favorite, Byron Buxton. Retaining his rookie status by a single at-bat, baseball's top prospect enters 2016 still under the rookie and prospect designation. Having played in 46 games during a playoff driven 2015 season, the Twins youngster has a a bit of MLB experience under his belt.

 

Although Buxton struggled to the tune of a .209/.250/.326 line in his first tour of the big leagues, brighter horizons lie ahead. Forget the Mike Trout first-to-second-year comparisons. Buxton has done plenty on his own. He's the owner of a .301/.383/.489 minor league line, and he recorded a hit in all 13 of his Triple-A games during 2015 (accumulating a .400/.441/.545 line). With an offseason to prepare, the offensive expectations for the Twins superstar should be through the roof for the season ahead.

 

On the off chance that Buxton doesn't quite do enough to nab Rookie of the Year honors though, the rest of the possibilities are nearly equally impressive. Considering the Twins have at least three more players who could be considered as candidates for the award, the emerging power of this team is no doubt going to be felt.

 

Staying in the outfield, Max Kepler is a name that likely will be on many watch lists. Despite not having the same top-tier pedigree as Buxton, Kepler has impressed nearly everywhere he's been (when healthy). He was healthy in 2015, and went on to win the Southern League MVP while leading the Chattanooga Lookouts to a Double-A Championship. Kepler slashed .322/.416/.531 while ripping 13 triples and launching nine homers. He's got an outside shot to start the year in the big leagues, and he should contribute when he gets there.

 

Then there's the (expected) overseas addition. Minnesota has not yet agreed to a contract with Byung-Ho Park, but the belief is that a deal gets done. The Korean Baseball Organization superstar should fill in as the Twins everyday DH. His 53 home runs in the KBO are going to come down a bit in the big leagues, but this guy is a star. After seeing Jung-Ho Kang struggle, then got hot, and eventually finish third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting this past season, Park's expectations are through the roof. He's a superior talent and at 29 should be right in the middle of his prime to show it off.

 

Rounding out the group, a step onto the mound is made. If Kepler dominated minor league pitching, Jose Berrios laid waste to hitters through the minors. Across two levels a season ago, Berrios owned a 3.03 ERA and compiled a 2.85 ERA in 12 Triple-A starts. His 9.5 K/9 has blown away hitters, and while walking just 2.1/9, Berrios has proved incredibly tough to beat. Despite the Twins pitching depth, Berrios should be mentioned amongst the highest tier, and he should be expected to show that off at the MLB level relatively early.

 

Regardless of the fact that, as with many awards, the Rookie of the Year is an individual honor, this list alone highlights a great thing for the Twins. Coming off an 83 win season, Minnesota is in position to add at least four players to the big league roster, who could be among the best in the game for their age. The organization is in position to turn the corner in a big way, and the aforementioned parties should be front and center in that revival.

 

When it comes to the 2016 Rookie of the Year award, it may not be addressed to Byron Buxton, but Minnesota has a pretty good shot of it being delivered to 1 Twins Way.

 

For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

 

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[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Didn't realize that Buxton still qualified as a rookie. That should help garner some positive attention next year. If he starts the year in the big leagues I think he has a good shot at the award, if he plays elite defense only though.

[BoomBoom]

I know everyone thinks I'm crazy, but.............

 

If you take the average stat line from all our prospects over the last 3 years and expect some sort of carry over to the MLB level - Why not  ABW II?

 

Just saying:  Strikes outs and all - he is the only prospect to average 109 RBI every year and 28 HRs.  Even if he made a MLB record in strike outs - If he averaged his consistent / normal yearly numbers - You would have your 2016 ROY - Nobody has been more durable and / or consistent in the last 3 years (Good and Bad).  NOBODY

 

We have all assumed that it will eventually catch up to him - but what if it doesn't?  Would his normal numbers get you the ROY?

[BoomBoom]

I know I never expected Vargas or Santana to be in the running in 2014.  Just saying...............

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I know everyone thinks I'm crazy, but.............

 

If you take the average stat line from all our prospects over the last 3 years and expect some sort of carry over to the MLB level - Why not  ABW II?

 

Just saying:  Strikes outs and all - he is the only prospect to average 109 RBI every year and 28 HRs.  Even if he made a MLB record in strike outs - If he averaged his consistent / normal yearly numbers - You would have your 2016 ROY - Nobody has been more durable and / or consistent in the last 3 years (Good and Bad).  NOBODY

 

We have all assumed that it will eventually catch up to him - but what if it doesn't?  Would his normal numbers get you the ROY?

 

Honestly, if Walker is up next year for anything more than a cup of coffee, that means some things went seriously wrong.  He's behind several guys who will get a shot well ahead of him.

[Shane Wahl]

Byron Buxton will win the award in 2016.

[jokin]

 

Byron Buxton will win the award in 2016.

 

Not if Park were to have an Jose Abreu-type debut year.

[Monkeypaws]

 

I know everyone thinks I'm crazy, but.............

 

If you take the average stat line from all our prospects over the last 3 years and expect some sort of carry over to the MLB level - Why not  ABW II?

 

Just saying:  Strikes outs and all - he is the only prospect to average 109 RBI every year and 28 HRs.  Even if he made a MLB record in strike outs - If he averaged his consistent / normal yearly numbers - You would have your 2016 ROY - Nobody has been more durable and / or consistent in the last 3 years (Good and Bad).  NOBODY

 

We have all assumed that it will eventually catch up to him - but what if it doesn't?  Would his normal numbers get you the ROY?

Getting through AA was a big step. I'm also bullish on his future, although I don't believe he will skip AAA.

[jimmer]

 

I know I never expected Vargas or Santana to be in the running in 2014.  Just saying...............

And were they, really?The winner was Abreu by a huge margin. Got all of the 1st place votes for a total of 150 points.  Vargas got no votes, Santana was put on one ballot.  He got 3 pts.  A MINNESOTA voter who isn't even a sports writer anymore (and hasn't been for more than a decade, I think he's an official scorer now) gave him a 2nd place vote. He was also one of the two writers who put Rosario on his ballot this year (while excluding Sano).

 

 

Edited November 24, 2015 by jimmer

[Thrylos]

Pitchers rarely win this award unless the spend the whole season in the majors.  Even when their performance is at historic levels (for reference see 2006 AL ROY Award)   So I don't think that Berrios will be close, unless he starts the season with the Twins, which, even though not impossible, I just don't see it happening.

 

Regardless, since we don't even know who will be with the organization as a rookie yet, this conversation is at least 4 months premature.  If the Twins acquire Steven Matz, for example, this list will look a lot different...