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There's no question Colorado's march to the World Series raised the profile of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in his rookie campaign.
Tulowitzki's presence in the playoffs, along with Arizona rookie center fielder Chris Young (until the Rockies eliminated the Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series) may have increased attention on the talented youngsters who are vying with Milwaukee third baseman Ryan Braun for the NL Rookie of the Year Award, but ballots had to be submitted before the regular season ended.
Braun, 23, is attempting to become the Brewers' first Rookie of the Year Award winner since Pat Listach in 1992.
Braun reached 25 home runs faster than any rookie since Mark McGwire in 1987. He batted .324, slugged .634 -- surpassing the all-time rookie record slugging percentage of .621 set in 1930 by George Watkins of the St. Louis Cardinals -- while belting 34 homers and driving in 97 runs.
Tulowitzki gets the nod over Braun defensively, and the Rockies shortstop also drove in two more runs, had six more total bases and also edged Braun in hits, runs, doubles and walks. But it must be remembered that Tulowitzki had 158 more at-bats than Braun, who wasn't called up from the Minor Leagues until May 24.
Here's a look of the candidates for the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year Award, to be announced on Nov. 12, listed alphabetically:
FAVORITES
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers: Braun came up in May, and although he played in only 113 games, he finished among the leaders in home runs (34), batting average (.324), RBIs (97), runs (91), total bases (286), on base percentage (.370), slugging percentage (.634) and extra-base hits (66). It's not often a rookie is called up from the Minor Leagues to a contending team and hits so well that he is deservedly placed in the third spot in the lineup, but that's what Braun did -- on a team with NL MVP candidate Prince Fielder.
Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies: Tulowitzki has outstanding numbers (.291, 104 runs, 177 hits, 24 homers, 99 RBIs, 62 extra-base hits and 292 total bases). He also played Gold Glove caliber defense at a demanding position for a championship team. The only potential hurdle for his candidacy is that several of his numbers are lower than Braun's despite playing significantly more games.
Chris Young, Arizona Diamondbacks: Young hit 32 home runs with 64 extra-base hits and 27 stolen bases and played great defense for a contender. But batting average (.237) and strikeouts (141) are negatives.
DARK HORSES
Josh Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds: The former No. 1 Draft pick played fewer games (90) and has the fewest at-bats (298) of any of the contenders as a result of injury, but had good numbers (.292, 19 HR, 47 RBIs) and led all NL rookies in outfield assists.
Hunter Pence, Houston: Pence also came up late and went on the disabled list with a broken wrist before returning late in the season, but in 108 games, Pence put up eye-popping numbers: 57 runs, 147 hits, 17 homers, 56 extra-base hits, 69 RBIs, 246 total bases and a .322 batting average.
HONORABLE MENTION
Yunel Escobar, Braves; Mike Fontenot, Cubs; Norris Hopper, Reds; Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres; Tim Lincecum, Giants; James Loney, Dodgers; Peter Moylan, Braves; Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks; Carlos Ruiz, Phillies.
There's no question Colorado's march to the World Series raised the profile of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in his rookie campaign.
Tulowitzki's presence in the playoffs, along with Arizona rookie center fielder Chris Young (until the Rockies eliminated the Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series) may have increased attention on the talented youngsters who are vying with Milwaukee third baseman Ryan Braun for the NL Rookie of the Year Award, but ballots had to be submitted before the regular season ended.
Braun, 23, is attempting to become the Brewers' first Rookie of the Year Award winner since Pat Listach in 1992.
Braun reached 25 home runs faster than any rookie since Mark McGwire in 1987. He batted .324, slugged .634 -- surpassing the all-time rookie record slugging percentage of .621 set in 1930 by George Watkins of the St. Louis Cardinals -- while belting 34 homers and driving in 97 runs.
Tulowitzki gets the nod over Braun defensively, and the Rockies shortstop also drove in two more runs, had six more total bases and also edged Braun in hits, runs, doubles and walks. But it must be remembered that Tulowitzki had 158 more at-bats than Braun, who wasn't called up from the Minor Leagues until May 24.
Here's a look of the candidates for the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year Award, to be announced on Nov. 12, listed alphabetically:
FAVORITES
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers: Braun came up in May, and although he played in only 113 games, he finished among the leaders in home runs (34), batting average (.324), RBIs (97), runs (91), total bases (286), on base percentage (.370), slugging percentage (.634) and extra-base hits (66). It's not often a rookie is called up from the Minor Leagues to a contending team and hits so well that he is deservedly placed in the third spot in the lineup, but that's what Braun did -- on a team with NL MVP candidate Prince Fielder.
Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies: Tulowitzki has outstanding numbers (.291, 104 runs, 177 hits, 24 homers, 99 RBIs, 62 extra-base hits and 292 total bases). He also played Gold Glove caliber defense at a demanding position for a championship team. The only potential hurdle for his candidacy is that several of his numbers are lower than Braun's despite playing significantly more games.
Chris Young, Arizona Diamondbacks: Young hit 32 home runs with 64 extra-base hits and 27 stolen bases and played great defense for a contender. But batting average (.237) and strikeouts (141) are negatives.
DARK HORSES
Josh Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds: The former No. 1 Draft pick played fewer games (90) and has the fewest at-bats (298) of any of the contenders as a result of injury, but had good numbers (.292, 19 HR, 47 RBIs) and led all NL rookies in outfield assists.
Hunter Pence, Houston: Pence also came up late and went on the disabled list with a broken wrist before returning late in the season, but in 108 games, Pence put up eye-popping numbers: 57 runs, 147 hits, 17 homers, 56 extra-base hits, 69 RBIs, 246 total bases and a .322 batting average.
HONORABLE MENTION
Yunel Escobar, Braves; Mike Fontenot, Cubs; Norris Hopper, Reds; Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres; Tim Lincecum, Giants; James Loney, Dodgers; Peter Moylan, Braves; Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks; Carlos Ruiz, Phillies.
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