Purple Row Awards: National League Rookie of the Year Award

by Russ Oates on Oct 20, 2009 10:00 AM MDT in Purple Row Awards

Our voting for the National League Rookie of the Year was close at the top. The winner appeared on five of the six ballots, and the second-place winner appeared on five of the six ballots as well. There wasn't much love for any Rockies rookies, though one player received a third-place vote.

Without further ado, the top three for Purple Row's National League Rookie of the Year Award after the jump

1st Place - Chris Coghlan

#8 / Left Field / Florida Marlins

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195

Bats: L

Throws: R

Born: Jun 18, 1985

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009	128	504	84	162	31	6	9	47	53	77	8	5	.321	.390	.460

2nd Place - Andrew McCutchen

#22 / Center Field / Pittsburgh Pirates

Height: 5-11

Weight: 175

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Oct 10, 1986

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009	108	433	74	124	26	9	12	54	54	83	22	5	.286	.365	.471

3rd Place - Tommy Hanson

#48 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-6

Weight: 220

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Aug 28, 1986

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009	11-4	21	21	0	0	0	0	127.2	105	42	41	10	46	116	2.89	1.18

Here's how the full voting went:

NL RoY	RMN	PF	togb	Russ	Silver	Jabbs
1	Andrew McCutchen	Tommy Hanson	Chris Coghlan	Chris Coghlan	Chris Coghlan	Andrew McCutchen
2	Tommy Hanson	Chris Coghlan	Andrew McCutchen	Andrew McCutchen	Tommy Hanson	Colby Rasmus
3	J.A. Happ	Randy Wells	Garrett Jones	Dexter Fowler	Andrew McCutchen	Chris Coghlan

Only ten points separated Coghlan and McCutchen, but with only five votes the future star of the Pirates fell just short of giving his team an award. This prize could have gone either way. Coghlan got on base a bit more than McCutchen, but the Pirate hit for a bit more power. In the long run, McCutchen should be more valuable as he provides a powerful bat, has speed on the basepaths, and plays center field.

Tommy Hanson is also a good choice for Rookie of the Year and should appear in the final results for the official NL RoY Award. With a 2.89 ERA, eleven wins, and 116 K, the Braves found a strong starter for the rotation going forward.

I gave that third-place vote to Dexter Fowler as a vote of confidence in his future.

Tomorrow RockiesMagicNumber (that guy just owns Wednesdays) will unveil our unanimous choice for AL Cy Young.

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Comments

I vote for Rockies Magic Number..

as the Purple Row ROY.

Order a Rocktober t-shirt in time for the playoffs and donate to charity at:
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by Charlie77 on Oct 20, 2009 10:12 AM MDT reply actions

Considering I regged in 2007, that might be difficult

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 20, 2009 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions

I'm like Seth Smith

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 20, 2009 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions

Did you even comment in 2008?

And didn’t you state earlier in the spring that you were going to avoid game threads?

Order a Rocktober t-shirt in time for the playoffs and donate to charity at:
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by Charlie77 on Oct 20, 2009 11:16 PM MDT up reply actions

I'd made comments in 2008

not much, and at the time, yeah, game threads moved too fast for me.

I’ve grown acclimated.

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 21, 2009 8:48 AM MDT up reply actions

Game threads still move too fast for me (because I'm OCD and try to read every comment)...

which is why I’m not on them much.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 21, 2009 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions

i am Matt Daley?

Or Jason hammel?

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 21, 2009 8:52 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm Omar Quintanilla's pixies.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 21, 2009 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions

hm...it says I regged in 2008

I could’ve sworn I was here before then

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 21, 2009 8:58 AM MDT up reply actions

Everyone

registered in 2008 when the new version went online in March. Look below you cooments box to see actual registration date: 1/30/07.

NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Oct 21, 2009 9:06 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

not seeing it

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 21, 2009 9:28 AM MDT up reply actions

In you profile

look at the individual blog boxes below where it displays your latest comments. Any blog you joined before the transition and claimed it will show you the original join date.

NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Oct 21, 2009 9:42 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

found it

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 21, 2009 9:47 AM MDT up reply actions

RMN, You can put it next to your other award this year from Rockiescast

I, ahem, may have had something to do with that.

by EricMedic on Oct 22, 2009 2:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Surprised not to see...

JA Happ on a few more ballots. 12-4 on a pretty good team.

Check out my website...www.rockiesreview.com

by Sandlotkid8 on Oct 20, 2009 11:23 AM MDT reply actions

pretty good team and 12-4 tend to go together

I didn’t pay attention to pitcher’s records in my votes. Happ had a nice era, but he benefited from a great d, off the charts strand percentage and low babip. His peripheral stats were much less dominant than other candidates, IMO. That’s why I left him out of my top three, though I was prepared to put him top two prior to research

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 11:36 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Three complete games and two shutouts is enough to be in the top three for me.

Check out my website...www.rockiesreview.com

by Sandlotkid8 on Oct 20, 2009 2:00 PM MDT up reply actions

this is the thinking that got Kerry wood he RoY over Helton, IMO

Some voters remembered the start he K’d 20 stros and that impressed them. The breakout start. You’re doing the same thing in limiting samples to three starts, which while better than one, still values that small sample over the whole. I’m not saying that’s wrong, as anyone can choose however they want. But when I looked at the whole season, happ didn’t fit in my top 3. Ill admit he was mighty close to wells though

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 2:28 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Fair enough...

I guess when I see a rookie who throws two complete game shutouts, and has another complete game to go on top of that, plus a 12-4 record with a low ERA, it is good enough to be in the top three. While I think Helton got robbed in ‘98, I do think that Kerry Wood’s 20 K game, followup up with a 16 K game in Arizona, was good enough to land him in the top three that year…but I understand what you are saying.

Check out my website...www.rockiesreview.com

by Sandlotkid8 on Oct 20, 2009 3:02 PM MDT up reply actions

happ had a great season

And I wouldn’t complain if year won the real award. Btw, your identification of those starts in hapo’s case is certainly less of a crime than wood was. But I utilized advanced metrics in a lot of analysis, and happ had the second biggest fip/era split in the majors. To be consistent with my methods, he just had to get knocked for it

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 3:14 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

so…..it’s cool to temper the phillies potent offense with the caveat of “they play at CBP, which is a bandbox”, but J.A. Happ doesn’t get any ‘extra credit’ for pitching there???

by Bilzo on Oct 20, 2009 5:51 PM MDT up reply actions

believe me, we are brethren in this regard

Rockies pitchers don’t get much extra credit. I actually don’t consider cbp as a bandbox outside of home runs myself. Its park factor barely favors offense, even less than AT&T

However, park factors are considered via the advanced stats, so I took it into account. But it was a smaller factor than his “luck” with babip, stand percentage and the phillies great defense

Also, randy wells’ home park favors offense more than cbp, so that’s the wrong argument to make for placing happ ahead of wells p

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 6:38 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Not that I don't think Happ is sweet,

but it would seem the more compelling comparison would be 12-4 on a bad team.

"Don't tell me about the world. Not today. It's springtime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball." -Pete Hamill

by Bryce on Oct 20, 2009 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Just out of curiosity

Who would you guys have voted for if there was only one ROY (AL and NL combined)

I ask this because I think the NL had a few guys who could have won ROY if they were in the AL

I'm still hoping to wake up from that nightmare I had about the 9th inning of Game 4.

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Oct 20, 2009 1:58 PM MDT reply actions

ooooh that's a toughie

probably Anderson. I was just really impressed with his season.

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 20, 2009 2:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Wow really

Happ and Hanson both had a lower ERA and WHIP and Anderson plays in a pitchers paradise

I'm still hoping to wake up from that nightmare I had about the 9th inning of Game 4.

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Oct 20, 2009 2:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Anderson's 3.33 K/BB really stood out for me

a lot of the advanced metrics don’t support Happ. Of the 3, he has the lowest K/BB, highest FIP, highest tRA*, stuff like that.

That said, Hanson has Anderson beaten on FIP, WHIP, ERA, while Anderson has him beaten on K/BB, tRA (as well as tRA*), and the fact that he made 30 starts puts him above Hanson for me.

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 20, 2009 2:13 PM MDT up reply actions

the K/BB thing also kind of just suggests better command of his own stuff.

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 20, 2009 2:14 PM MDT up reply actions

i would go with Bailey

He was the most dominant rookie in either league. Hanson would have been my choice had he been called up early and proven his success on a larger scale

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 2:37 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Wow you guys really like the Oakland pitchers.

I just don’t think they would be as good (Still good but not as good) if they played on a team like Baltimore because of the park and their opponents.

Am I wrong to think the NL rookies are better overall?

I'm still hoping to wake up from that nightmare I had about the 9th inning of Game 4.

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Oct 20, 2009 2:59 PM MDT up reply actions

well bailey's era+ pushed 300

It wasn’t all the home park. the nl rookies are definitely better as an overall crop, IMO. I just love Bailey.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 3:10 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I'd still go with Anderson, Niemann, and then McCutcheon.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 20, 2009 3:06 PM MDT up reply actions

McCutchen ;-)

Never give up, never surrender.

by Justus on Oct 20, 2009 4:18 PM MDT up reply actions

whoops...I've made that mistake a few times it seems. Poor form on my part.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 20, 2009 4:33 PM MDT up reply actions

I've made that mistake more than a few times, which is why I noticed.

Never give up, never surrender.

by Justus on Oct 20, 2009 4:40 PM MDT up reply actions

i made that mistake when writing a kyf

His name wouldn’t turn purple, and thus I read and learned

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 5:15 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

If the AL Cy Young votes are unanimous

They better all be for Zack Greinke

I'm still hoping to wake up from that nightmare I had about the 9th inning of Game 4.

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Oct 20, 2009 2:01 PM MDT reply actions

you'd think so, wouldn't you

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 20, 2009 2:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Nope.

Jarrod Washburn

by KindredSprites on Oct 20, 2009 2:16 PM MDT up reply actions

who is Zach greinke?

I’m pretty sure we were voting between Josh beckett, cc sabathia, jon Lester and aj Burnett

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 2:31 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I voted for Felix Hernandez too

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 20, 2009 2:36 PM MDT up reply actions

My justification:

1. Andrew McCutcheon
2. Colby Rasmus
3. Chris Coghlan

McCutcheon has been the bright spot in a dismal Pittsburgh season (3.0 WAR), playing a fast and exciting game. Rasmus (2.4 WAR) started off very well, but has regressed a little in the last few months, while Coghlan (2.2 WAR) has come on strong of late. While I believe that Fowler should be in the mix somewhere, I’m just not sure how to evaluate his defense—he’d be fourth on my ballot.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 20, 2009 3:10 PM MDT reply actions

McCutchen is a beast

He will haunt the Rockies for years to come

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart." - A. Bartlett Giamatti

by Rawktober on Oct 21, 2009 7:29 AM MDT up reply actions

he is just so good

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Oct 21, 2009 8:48 AM MDT up reply actions

Just saw on ESPN that Jim Tracy is close to signing a multi-year contract

I'm still hoping to wake up from that nightmare I had about the 9th inning of Game 4.

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Oct 20, 2009 4:14 PM MDT reply actions

we have known he is "close" for a couple days now

Is it that amount of clost, or is it “clos-ER”. If its the latter, the cart is before the horse. Lock up oclown

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 4:20 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm not sure which it is

I only posted it because I saw it on a national network instead of a local paper. Although ESPN does give credit (unusual for them) to the Denver Post. I don’t know if this means the Rockies are closer to signing Tracy or if ESPN is just late to the party. I figured I’d throw it out there.

I'm still hoping to wake up from that nightmare I had about the 9th inning of Game 4.

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Oct 20, 2009 4:44 PM MDT up reply actions

Surprised to see no love for Garrett Jones.

by Tom (RFTN) on Oct 20, 2009 4:58 PM MDT reply actions

He's not technically a rookie

he debuted a few years ago, got sent down, and then called up.

I love Greg Reynolds. Deal with it, suckers.

by Silverblood on Oct 20, 2009 5:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Played in 30 or so games for the Twins in 07, if I recall correctly

I love Greg Reynolds. Deal with it, suckers.

by Silverblood on Oct 20, 2009 5:21 PM MDT up reply actions

did he have enough service time

Or ABs to be DQed? I knew I wasn’t going to put him on my ballot so I didn’t care to look him up

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 5:28 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions

He MAY have had enough service time...

…but I’m not real sure and I can’t recall how to look it up, nor do I know the minimum amount required to qualify. He spent parts of four different months in the big leagues, though.

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Oct 20, 2009 5:33 PM MDT up reply actions

Do we know for sure Jones is not eligible?

I thought Sept time didn’t count against the 45 day active roster limit? If Sept doesn’t count, I don’t see him with 45 days on the active roster in 2007 (and don’t see he was recalled/purchased in 2008):

5/15/07 recalled
5/18 optioned

7/13 recalled
7/22 optioned

8/17 recalled (stays through September)

Not that this should change anyone’s vote…

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Oct 20, 2009 7:45 PM MDT up reply actions

If September games didn't count, then the Kung Fu Panda would be the RoY

He spent 46 days (145 ABs) on the roster last season, just 18 (56 ABs) non Sept days.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Oct 20, 2009 7:57 PM MDT up reply actions

Sept games count

for AB’s. But not the playing time. I believe the playing time requirement is not more than 45 days (or is it > 45 days) on the active roster before Sept 1.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Oct 21, 2009 9:31 AM MDT up reply actions

Days spent on the active roster in September do count toward the playing time requirement.

The September 1st rule just makes the 40 man roster the active roster (or at least eligible) and it is still regular season action.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 21, 2009 10:22 AM MDT up reply actions

Do you have a cite?

Damn, I should have saved all those articles I was looking at yesterday.

I didn’t find anything specific to the award (that would be nice) just articles on mlb.com stating that rule. I’m sure mlb.com beat reporters get stuff wrong, but I figured they were likely to be right on that issue if they were going into that level of detail.

After some googling, a couple examples.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Oct 21, 2009 3:05 PM MDT up reply actions

Well I wrote about it in Purple Row Academy before the season began...

40 Man RosterMajor League Service Time

There are some links within those pieces that could help.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 21, 2009 4:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Whoops, hit reply too quickly--here's the other link.

ML Service Time

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 21, 2009 4:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Looking at your links...

it appears that it is an either/or…45 days on the active roster outside of September or 130 TOTAL at-bats or 80 TOTAL innings.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Oct 21, 2009 4:12 PM MDT up reply actions

He only had 84 PA's though...

…so he still qualified as a rookie this year. That’s why I picked him third. He’s pretty old for a rookie, but being the sucker for power that I am, I couldn’t ignore the 21 homers in just a half-season.

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Oct 20, 2009 5:28 PM MDT up reply actions