National League Rookie of the Year Watch — “And then there were two”
Photo By: Mark Whitt
When was the last time the National League Rookie of the Year race came down to two players from the same team? This is exactly the scenario that is playing out for the Atlanta Braves with youngsters Freddie Freeman – the sweet swinging left-handed first baseman and Craig Kimbrel – the hard throwing closer with filthy stuff. If you’re a baseball fan, and these names are foreign to you, allow me to get you up-to-speed.
First a history lesson.
Remember those great Braves teams from the 1990s that were built on pitching, surrounded by good, but not superstar talent (Chipper Jones the exception) and a farm system that was the envy of every other team in baseball? The Braves seem to be pulling a page from the past, with the emergence of Jason Heyward, last year’s National League Rookie of the Year runner up, Julio Teheran who is considered baseball’s best pitching prospect, Jonny Venters, and of course, Freeman and Kimbrel. The Braves are in the top 3 of best farm systems in baseball and they keep graduating talent to the majors and then seamlessly replenishing it with new prospects.
Freddie Freeman, selected 78th in the 2nd round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Braves, made a fast ascent through the minor leagues and was named the Braves starting first baseman out of spring training. After shaking off a sluggish April, Freeman hit his stride by July, hitting .362, with six home runs, 17 runs and 18 RBIs. He has also carried a 20 game hitting streak and through August 25, Freeman was batting .293 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs.
Rookie Freddie Freeman has impressed this season with a .293 BA, 18 HR, and 64 RBI; Photo By Neon Tommy
Nobody knows how great Freeman will become, but his natural, raw talent is undeniable. At only 21 years of age, Freeman is a better-than-average athlete, runs the bags well, has a solid glove and can only get stronger with time. At this pace, a future All-Star selection seems within reach.
Where to start with 23 year-old Craig Kimbrel? He was selected to the National League All-Star team this year, recently tied the record for most saves by a rookie in MLB history (a record that he will soon break), and has a wicked slider that is regarded among baseball scouts as one of the best in the National League.
Kimbrel hasn’t given up an earned run since June 11. For those of you keeping track at home that is zero earned runs in 33 games and 31.2 innings, to go along with 55 strike outs and 22 saves during the same period of time. I think what most impresses me is, for a guy that is relatively inexperienced, he has shown tremendous poise to close games and has not hit the rookie wall like so many young guys do going through a 162 game season for the first time. Granted he doesn’t play everyday, but still.
So the race for National League Rookie of the Year comes down to two incredibly talented players and teammates. Ultimately, while both are deserving of the award, I would give Freeman a slight edge, simply because he plays everyday.
This is a good problem for Atlanta though. With Freeman and Kimbrel, coupled with the Braves’ other young talent, I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more of the postseason chop this season and for the foreseeable future (Atlanta is currently sitting 6 games back in the NL East, but first place in the Wild Card standings).
Ohhhh…Ohhhh…Ohhhh [insert chopping arm].
Its happened before. Alvin Davis and the great Mark Langston – finished 1 – 2 in ROY voting back in ’84 for the hapless Mariners.
See how that worked out for them.
thanks for reading and the nugget of info. who knows how it will work out for the braves, but i think maybe the difference is that the braves organization, unlike the m’s, have proven to build around their talent over the years. not to take away anything from the m’s who fielded good teams with griffey jr and randy johnson in the ’90s and had a particularly strong run from 95′ — ’01. just one man’s opinion though.
it also happened in ’75 for the BoSox. Both turned out to be halfway decent ballplayers — Jim Rice and Freddy Lynn.
But it bombed in 89 for the Cubs. Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith. Two studs.
Its crazy to me how well there both playing in their rookie seasons, and yet again is his going to make the braves good for the next 10 years, urrrr
enough alreedy, lol. Lets Go Mets!
lol. i have a buddy who is a die hard mets fan and he called me after i posted this and basically gave me an ear full.
I was at the Phils Braves game with Oswalt vs. Beachy, everytime they sent a reliever up I’d say to my Dad “Watch this guy, look at his E.R.A. 1st O’flaherty then Venters. thank God we never saw Kimbrel! I kept saying be glad Freeman didn’t play but then he pinch hit the go-ahead run, he was more worried about Heyward. He said guys like that always turn into superstars the night they play the Phils, what’s he do but get on base 4 times 2 BB’s 2 hits. They will make playoffs several more times and probably beat the Phils in the playoffs in the next 3 years maybe even surprise them this year who knows. Go Phillies! (Braves fan in my head, so as not to get my ass-kicked in South Philly)