Earlier this month, Cheers & Jeers picked through candidates for the Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards in both the American League and National League. Now, it’s time to look at the top rookies. We start with the NL:
J.A. Happ, Phillies (12-4, 2.85 ERA) » Helped stabilize a Philadelphia rotation that looked shaky at the start of the season. The 26-year-old was a third-round pick in 2004, but took a slow and steady route to the majors. Only seven other pitchers have a lower ERA. Happ’s WHIP is 1.22 and he is pitching in one big game after another for the defending world champs, who have clinched the NL East title.
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Tommy Hanson, Braves (11-4, 2.98 ERA) » Top prospect joined what was already one of the game’s best rotations and has more than held his own at age 23. Hanson and Happ have eerily similar numbers. The difference? Batters are having a much harder time hitting Hanson’s explosive stuff. Granted, he has pitched 44 fewer innings (120 2/3) than the Philadelphia rookie. But Hanson has allowed 45 fewer hits and 10 fewer home runs (10).
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (.283, 12 HR, 54 RBI) » A force since his call-up in early June — as the Nats found out when he homered against them three times in one game. The Pirates traded solid veteran Nate McLouth to make room for the 22-year-old center fielder. McCutchen leads all rookies with 45 extra-base hits. Has also has stolen 17 bases in 22 attempts. Defensive metrics put McCutchen in the middle of the pack at his position, where he is still a work-in-progress.
Chris Coghlan, Marlins (.319, 9 HR, 44 RBI) » At 24, he leads National League rookies in batting average — and is seventh among all players — as well as runs (76) and hits (152). Coghlan entered play Wednesday with 24 more hits than any other rookie. He also is first in on-base percentage (.385). Coghlan has played 119 games in left field — despite never playing that position as a professional. Since 1990 only five NL rookies have topped .300.
