The NL Rookie of the Year award has been hotly debated throughout the summer, as Casey McGehee has been clamoring for recognition outside the Brew City.
How did he rank?
NL Rookie of the Year
3) Casey McGehee, Milwaukee
2) Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh
1) Tommy Hanson, Atlanta
McGehee had a fine and quite surprising season for the Milwaukee Brewers, racking up a .301 batting average and a .360 OBP. He managed to compile a +2.1 WAR in only 116 games and provided much-needed protection for Prince Fielder in the middle of the Brewers’ order.
His production at the plate, however, does not compare to that of Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Though neither were spectacular defensively, McCutchen had similar power numbers, but a higher walk rate and a better on-base percentage (despite a .285 batting average) — not to mention at a premium defensive position. +3.4 WAR for a rookie in only 108 games is undoubtedly impressive.
The problem was that McCutchen mashed in Pittsburgh, far away from any postseason race.
Tommy Hanson managed to post a 2.89 ERA (3.50 FIP) over a span of 127.2 innings for the Atlanta Braves. He held batters to a low .226 batting average and struck out 8.18 batters per nine innings. In short, he was electric.
What impressed me more, however, was the fact that Hanson improved as Atlanta attempted to secure a postseason berth. In August and September, the 23-year old right-hander compiled a 2.93 and 2.31 ERA, respectively. His strikeout rate jumped significantly, and he began depressing his opponent batting average from a rather high, for him, July (.258).
Hanson was worth +2.6 WAR in 2009 and saved his best performances for when it mattered most for his team. His WAR value may not be as high as that of McCutchen, but his performance came under more pressure-packed circumstances with much more on the line than a .500 record. Hanson established himself as the future ace of the Braves staff, one that saw Derek Lowe not perform up to his offseason contract.
Considering all those circumstances, Tommy Hanson is my NL Rookie of the Year.
Previous Awards:
Be sure to check out more Brewers news and analysis from Jim Breen at Bernie's Crew.
