AL Rookie of the Year Watch

Yes, Mike Trout will unanimously win the Rookie of the Year Award in the National League, but there are other rookies in the AL and we'll mention a few.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Aug 29, 2012 at 10:21 am ET • 2 min read

Smile if you're going to win the AL Rookie of the Year. (US Presswire)

Of all the awards handed out at the end of the season, only one has probably already been sent to the engravers without hesitation -- the American League Rookie of the Year.

Frontrunner Winner

Mike Trout, Angels: The only question that remains is whether he'll do what Ichiro Suzuki and Fred Lynn have done before him, win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

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Stock Rising

Pedro Ciriaco, Red Sox: Boston's jack of all trades won't have enough playing time to make Trout sweat, but he's made the most of his opportunity in Boston. The 26-year-old former Pirate is hitting .350/.363/.483, logging playing time at second base, third base, shortstop, right field and center field.

Jose Quintana, White Sox: He hasn't had a decision in his last two starts, but he's pitching meaningful games for the AL Central leaders and pitching well. As the pennant race continued and more eyes are on the White Sox, more people will notice the 23-year-old lefty.

Status Quo

Will Middlebrooks, Red Sox: Middlebrooks' season is likely over with a hairline fracture in his right wrist -- something we noted in our last look at the award, so it's hard to have a status less changed than Middlebrooks'. He hasn't played since Aug. 10 and his final line -- .288/.325/.509 with 15 home runs in 75 games -- gives more hope for the future than pause for award voters.

Yu Darvish , Rangers: Darvish hasn't been the ace many expected out of Japan, but his 182 strikeouts in 154 2/3 innings show he can miss bats. If he puts it all together, he can still be an ace. Just not this season.

Stock Falling

Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics: Cespedes has just two home runs in August. He's still hitting an impressive .294/.355/.500 on the season, but the length of the season appears to be catching up to the Cuban import.

Jesus Montero, Mariners: A tough season is getting even tougher for the Mariners catcher/designated hitter. In August, he's hitting just .229/.247/.386. In his last 10 games, he's hitting just .154/.175/.333. But of his six hits, two are homers, so there's that.

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