NewsAndrus in hunt for AL Rookie of Year
Shortstop's toughest competition might be from pitchers
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
11/10/09 3:03 PM EST
ARLINGTON -- Elvis Andrus is going to find out over the next week just how rewarding his rookie season was with the Rangers.
The 2009 American League Gold Glove team was announced Tuesday, and no Rangers were on it. Both leagues will announce their Rookie of the Year Award winners Monday. And Andrus is a candidate for the American League honor.
He is also looking to be the first Rangers player to win the AL Rookie of the Year in 35 years, since Mike Hargrove won in 1974. The Rookie of the Year is voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The Rangers' shortstop may be the leading candidate among position players, but he could get stiff competition from some pitchers. Andrus hit .267 with 72 runs scored, 17 doubles, eight triples, six home runs and 33 stolen bases in 145 games and 480 at-bats. He was the only AL rookie to have enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title, although that is not a prerequisite for the award. Voters are allowed to consider any rookie. Other position players who might draw interest include White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham, who hit .270 with 14 home runs and 63 RBIs in 103 games and 378 at-bats, and Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold, who hit .279 with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs in 104 games and 358 at-bats. Andrus' toughest competitor could be Athletics reliever Andrew Bailey, who was 6-3 with 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA. There were also three starters who had at least 13 wins: Rick Porcello (14-9, 3.96) of the Tigers, Jeff Niemann (13-6, 3.94) of the Rays and Ricky Romero (13-9, 4.30) of the Blue Jays. The high number of pitching candidates could work in Andrus' favor.T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
