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AL Rookie Roundup
Jason Michael Barker
After last week's look at the top rookies in the American League, this week brings us to the National League. In a bit of exciting news, we've got two new pitchers to examine this time around... but we'll save those for the end. You know, just to keep you interested all the way through.
Luke Prokopec had been hit very hard each of his last three starts -- 30 hits and a 8.44 ERA in 16 innings -- before Sunday's outing, but he bounced back to allow just one run over five innings against the Angels. Even factoring in those three rough games, however, Prokopec's season numbers are still quite impressive. He has allowed essentially one hit per inning, but his walk rate -- 14 in 72.1 innings -- has served him well, and opposing batters have a .296 OBP against him. As long as he can keep those walks down and maintain that hit rate, he should be successful.
The incredible story of Albert Pujols continues. After hitting .370/.431/.739 in April, the smart money said he'd slip in May. He did, but still hit a robust .333/.402/.596 in his second month in MLB. Here we are mid-way through June, and he's hitting .346/.400/.615 for the month. In case you didn't process those quickly enough, that means he's hitting .350/.412/.654 for the season. What Pujols has done this season is nothing short of remarkable -- he has essentially no experience in the upper minor leagues yet he's on pace to hit 48 homers. Rookie of the Year? Um, yeah.
Remind me again why the Red Sox let Chris Reitsma get away, would you? Through 14 starts this season, Reitsma has thrown 86.2 innings, walked just 22, and has a 4.26 ERA. His strikeout rate is alarmingly low -- he's averaging around 4.6 per nine innings -- and he's also allowed 94 hits in those 86.2 innings. If there's one reason for concern, it's that lefties are hitting him at a .292/.342/.535 clip. Adam Eaton of the Padres had a similar problem last season, but he has gotten it under control this year and has pitched well, so all hope is not lost for Reitsma.
After a rough April, Milwaukee's Olympic hero Ben Sheets put together a good May and has the makings of a solid June. Like Reitsma, Sheets doesn't have the greatest peripheral numbers (74.2 innings, 75 hits, 31 walks and 43 strikeouts) but so far it hasn't shown up in his 3.38 ERA. Also like Reitsma, he's been hit fairly hard by left-handed batters (.289/.377/.481). The biggest difference between the two right now? Sheets has had ten double plays turned behind him, while the Reds have turned just two for Reitsma. It pays to be a groundball pitcher. Sheets has a 1.71 groundball to flyball ratio, while Reitsma checks in at 1.41.
Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins went hitless Sunday, snapping a ten-game hitting streak, but has been on a tear lately. A quick look at his line -- .276/.316/.423 -- doesn't look all that impressive, but he's on pace for 17 homers, 12 triples and 51 steals this season. All this from a rookie shortstop who has made just four errors in 63 games. Bright future? I'd say so. The only thing missing in his game right now is walks, as he's drawn just 16 in 267 at-bats, well below the 10% threshold of respectability. He never drew a ton of walks in the minors, so he'll have to work on this facet of his game, hopefully with a hitting instructor who understands the value of patience at the plate. Phillies manager Larry Bowa spent last season with the Mariners, a club who led the majors in walks, so perhaps a bit of extra instruction is in order.
Still with me? Now to our two new pitchers.
With closer Matt Mantei out indefinitely, the Diamondbacks have turned to rookie Bret Prinz, who has closed six of eight so far. He has been stellar to this point, with a 0.95 ERA in 19 innings of work. He's not that good, of course, and his nine walks and 13 hits allowed would suggest a slightly higher ERA. His K:BB was a very good 79:17 at two stops last season, and he throws in the mid-90's with a good slider. He's the type of guy who stands to make a ton of money in baseball now that he's been labeled a closer, even though there are better pitchers in the majors. This is the difference between guys like Jeff Nelson, who has never been a closer, and Jose Mesa, who has the magical "proven closer" tag.
A newcomer to the MLB scene, Bud Smith made his first start Sunday after a pair of relief appearances. He faired well, allowing three runs in 5.2 innings with four strikeouts, two walks and seven hits. Before being called up, Smith made 13 starts in AAA, posting a 2.14 ERA in 84 innings while striking out 63 and walking just 16. Last season, he went a combined 17-2 with a 2.26 ERA at AA and AAA, and also threw two no-hitters in AA. So yes, despite his common name Smith can really pitch.
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