AL Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Abreu the obvious choice

With the conclusion of the season, here's a look at the top first-year players in the American League and their candidacy for Rookie of the Year. 

AL Rookie of the Year Power Rankings

As Paul Konerko's days with the Chicago White Sox have come to an end, the team already appears to have found the heir to his throne. 

Jose Abreu exceeded the hype in his first season in the big leagues by terrorizing opposing pitching - posting arguably the best rookie campaign in recent memory.  

American League Rookie of the Year position player winners since 2007:

Abreu, who has managed a severe fear of flying all season, broke Konerko's rookie record with his 36th home run of the season on Saturday and finished in the top-five in the AL in home runs, RBI, and average. He also led the league in slugging.  

If Masahiro Tanaka wouldn't have missed 74 days with an elbow injury, he could have challenged Abreu for the award and the rest of the AL pitchers for the Cy Young. 

The Yankees right-hander was phenomenal in his first season since coming from Japan, as Tanaka led the team with 13 wins despite being limited to 20 starts. He was the first pitcher in the majors to reach 12 wins. 

Tanaka posted 12 starts where he allowed two or fewer runs and tossed at least 5 1/3 innings in all but one of his starts. 

American League Rookie of the Year starting pitchers who've won since 2006:

While Tanaka and Abreu were projected to have an immediate impact this season after signing lucrative free-agent deals, Matt Shoemaker was more of an unknown. 

The 27-year-old, who entered the 2014 campaign in the bullpen before a move to the rotation in mid-May, delivered rather underwhelming numbers after going undrafted out of college - posting an 11-13 record and a 4.64 ERA last season in Triple-A. 

Shoemaker, however, would go on to set the Angels' rookie record after recording his 16th win of the season - thanks to an 8-1 record and 1.66 ERA since August - and is expected to take the ball in Game 3 of the ALDS. 

Dellin Betances has made New York Yankees closer and impending free agent David Robertson dispensable.

The strikeout machine, who's registered at least one K in 71-of-78 appearances, has overpowered hitters all season with a fastball that has routinely hit the high-90's and a curveball that is rated one of the best in the majors. 

If there's any knock on Betances' Rookie of the Year candidacy, it's that he isn't a closer - an unfortunate criticism when looking at his numbers compared to other relievers who have previously won the award. 

American League Rookie of the Year relievers who've won since 2000:

The Kansas City Royals are postseason bound for the first time since 1985 and one key contributor to their successful campaign has been 23-year-old hard-throwing righty Yordano Ventura. 

Ventura, who was six-years away from being born when the Royals last made the playoffs, is 7-2 over his last 11 starts and owns a 2.27 ERA while holding the opposition to a .199 batting average.