Which young star shined brightest in 2016? AL/NL Rookie of the Year to be announced Monday

WAYNE, N.J.- Last Monday the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWA) officially announced the finalists for the most prolific MLB individual awards: the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award, Manager of the Year of the Award, Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player for each league.  The award winners will be announced on MLB Network starting with the Rookie of the Year Award on Monday, November 14th at 6 p.m. EST 

Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award

American League: Gary Sanchez C NYY, Michael Fulmer SP DET, Tyler Naquin OF CLE

Image: @MLB

New York Yankees backstop, Gary Sanchez and Detroit Tigers starting pitcher, Michael Fulmer are a near lock to finish 1 and 2 in this year’s AL ROY race.  Despite playing in just 53 games (201 AB) Sanchez, hit .299 belting 20 home runs; becoming the fastest player in MLB history to reach that mark, while driving in 44. Not only did Sanchez excel offensively but he was just as good defensively throwing out 41 % of would be base stealers.  Sanchez quickly emerged as the Yankees everyday catcher and lead the Bombers to a late-season playoff push.

Michael Fulmer made all 26 of his scheduled starts after making his MLB debut on April 29th, going 11-7 with a 3.03 ERA in 159 innings.

After making the Opening Day roster, Tyler Naquin contributed to the AL Champions by hitting .296 with 37 extra base hits and 43 RBI in 321 at-bats.

The outcome of this race is going to be dependent on how much emphasis is put on Fulmer pitching nearly a full season (though he did not qualify for the league ERA title) as opposed to Sanchez playing in less than a third of his teams games.  Gary Sanchez’ 53 game 2016 rookie campaign was historic, which is why he should be crowned American League Rookie of the Year.

National League: Corey Seager SS LAD, Kenta Maeda SP LAD, Trea Turner OF/INF WSH

Image: @MLB

For the second straight year the National League Rookie of the Year will be a unanimous decision.  Corey Seager the Dodgers 23 year-old shortstop made the most of his first full season in the big leagues hitting .308 with 26 home runs, 40 doubles and 72 RBI while falling just 7 hits short of the 200 hit plateau.  Seager, who is also a finalist for the NL MVP award, will become the 17th Dodger to win the NL Rookie of the Year award, the most in MLB history and their first since 1996.

After signing an 8 year/25 million dollar deal in the off-season, Dodgers Kenta Maeda transitioned nicely to American baseball after spending the last 8 years pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.  The righty made 32 starts posting a 16-11 mark with 179 strikeouts and a 3.48 ERA.

Trea Turner displayed his versatility playing centerfield in addition both middle infield positions while primarily batting leadoff for the Nationals.  Despite playing in just 73 games, the 23 year-old Turner hit an impressive.342 with 13 home runs, 53 runs scored and 33 stolen bases.

The Manager of the Year Award winners will be announced on MLB Network on Tuesday, November 15th at 6 p.m. EST.