I have no problem with giving it to Franco, who looks like one of the next superstars in MLB, but I do think for an award like this I lean toward the one who played the entire year in the Majors.Down to Franco and Arozarena for me. Went with Franco as he accumulated nearly as much WAR (4.2 vs 3.5 on B-Ref) in about half as many games. Plus he did it with a positive dWAR suggesting he contributed on both sides of the ball.
I disagree with the full year thing since it's entirely out of the player's control. Players are generally only eligible for the award once. They shouldn't be penalized or overlooked for their only shot at it because their team delayed their arrival for whatever reason. Best rookie is best rookie whether he plays 70 games or 160.I have no problem with giving it to Franco, who looks like one of the next superstars in MLB, but I do think for an award like this I lean toward the one who played the entire year in the Majors.
Also just pointing out that it’s wild that Arozarena might win AL Rookie of the Year while being the 4th most exciting Rookie ON HIS OWN TEAM (Franco, McLanahan, Baz)
Yeah I knew this would be the counter argument, and given the infuriating service time manipulation in MLB it does feel like punishing players for something entirely out of their control. Still, Arozarena did play a full season, which is impressive, and it’s not his fault that the Rays were manipulating Franco.I disagree with the full year thing since it's entirely out of the player's control. Players are generally only eligible for the award once. They shouldn't be penalized or overlooked for their only shot at it because their team delayed their arrival for whatever reason. Best rookie is best rookie whether he plays 70 games or 160.
Given Wander's production since his call-up, if he played as many games as Arozarena, he'd have blown him out of the water and this wouldn't be a question. Arozarena benefits from the Rays manipulating Franco's clock (though I'm not sure that was exactly what they were doing).Yeah I knew this would be the counter argument, and given the infuriating service time manipulation in MLB it does feel like punishing players for something entirely out of their control. Still, Arozarena did play a full season, which is impressive, and it’s not his fault that the Rays were manipulating Franco.
Hard to balance. Both are deserving.
He did. I overlooked him. But since we're only voting for 1 on here, not top 5 or something, I don't think it really changes much. I could have narrowed down each list to like 3 or 4.Not that I'd vote for him, but Alek Manoah had a better season than several of those on the ballot.