Could Gary Sanchez win AL Rookie of the Year?
Gary Sanchez is breathing new life into Yankee Stadium and adding a little more intrigue to the American League Rookie of the Year race.
Despite having only been in the major leagues since Aug. 3, Sanchez has taken over the Bronx with his Babe Ruth-esque performance, and has our editors debating whether or not this 23-year-old could do enough to garner consideration for the AL Rookie of the Year.
No chance
At the pace Sanchez is tearing the cover off the ball, and with 34 games remaining on the Yankees' regular-season schedule, he should be able to meet the requirements needed to qualify for AL Rookie of the Year, but winning it should be out of the question.
Michael Fulmer (10 wins, 2.58 ERA) is a near lock for the award, while Tyler Naquin (.942 OPS), Nomar Mazara (15 HR), Tony Barnette (1.17 WHIP), Cheslor Cuthbert (106 hits), and Max Kepler (56 RBIs) have all done more to earn consideration than Sanchez.
Sanchez would have to continue raking and prove to the BBWAA his small sample size is enough to overtake all of those candidates - who've proven their value over more games played - if he plans to even stand a chance.
The BBWAA doesn't normally give out awards to players with so few appearances, although it has broken this rule in the past, awarding Willie McCovey the 1959 NL award after he posted a 1.085 OPS in 52 games. More recently, Wil Myers won the AL award in 2013 after he appeared in just 88 contests. But Sanchez is no McCovey, and his 55 games (tops) just aren't enough to earn a rookie of the year award. Sorry, Gary. - Mcwilliam
Don't rule him out
It seems crazy to pose this question about a player who's only been in the major leagues for a month, but what the Yankees catcher has done warrants consideration. Entering Sunday, Sanchez sits just four homers back of the AL rookie lead and he's tied with Naquin for top spot in WAR (2.1).
On Saturday, Sanchez became the fastest player in major-league history to reach 11 home runs. He's the first rookie to have 10 home runs and 20 RBIs in his first 20 games since 1920, and the first rookie in Yankees history to hit 10 homers in a month. He's also thrown out five of eight potential base stealers. Sanchez's unprecedented run has even helped push a rebuilding club back into the postseason conversation, which may be the most unbelievable part.
While Fulmer is the front-runner and will almost certainly claim the award, Sanchez must be acknowledged if he continues his torrid pace, and the potential of what he could have accomplished given a full season should receive some consideration. - Wile