It feels like the Rookie of the Year race in both the AL and NL is really going to come down to the wire.
In the American League, Shohei Ohtani was running away with it as a dual-threat player, cranking homers and striking out hitters. But his UCL injury put a damper on his season, at least pitching-wise. He's come back as a full-time DH and is starting to rake again, but will it be enough to take back the award?
Enter Gleyber Torres, who was called up on April 22 and took hold of the Yankees starting 2B job. Predicted to hit 15-20 homers in his prime, he already has 15 dingers 225 ABs. The power surge has been unexpected. He was named to the AL All-Star team, but then experienced a hip injury that landed him on the DL. He's back now, but the race is a bit closer with him missing time and Ohtani heating up.
Oh, and don't forget Miguel Andujar has 42 extra base hits!
On the NL-side, it's a bit murky as well. Most likely leading the way at this point is 19-year-old and already current-Yankee killer Juan Soto. Seriously, 19?! He's hitting .315 with a .425 OBP and 13 homers...AS A NINETEEN YEAR OLD. That is unreal.
There are still a few NL rooks who might be considered for the award, including Brian Anderson of the Marlins. Then maybe I could do something with this card I pulled that I have no use for and no one seems to want. Seriously, it sells for $2 on eBay. The Marlins effect is real.
Back to the rookies. A while back, the Yankees and Nationals faced off with the two aforementioned rooks taking center stage. They didn't disappoint, becoming the youngest pair to homer in the same game.
It was a cool moment and one of the few Topps NOW cards I've ever snagged with a non-Yankee on it. Hopefully I see these two on the same card again in the off-season as ROY winners.
I collected baseball cards from the late '80s through 2002. Then I went to college and when I came out, I was lost. There were too many brands, sets, choices, relics, autos, parallels, variations. It was a turn off. However, I slowly made my way back. So here is my attempt to venture back into the hobby. I'll buy a few packs of cards here and there, comment on some cards I have, send out some TTMs, and follow the progress of my Topps Yankees Project.
I'm pulling for Ohtani... but Andujar is the man! Hate to see a Yankee (no offense TLC... you da man too!) win it, but if the season ended today... he'd get my vote.
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