EhSPN: First-half rookie rundown

Delmon Young has helped power the Rockets offense all season, but who are the other rookies making waves in the EHCC?



First-half rookie rundown
By EhSPN

A player's first season can be a grueling experience for player and manager alike, especially if the player struggles out of the gate. Almost instinctively, questions begin to arise about a player's suitability for the Big Show during a prolonged debut slump.

The struggling rookie takes on the semblance of a coma patient, his manager anxiously manning the bedside, waiting earnestly for any sign of life, no matter how small, any signal that the player he thought he knew is still contained in this deteriorating husk of strikeouts and ground ball double plays. Simultaneously, the manager subconsciously begins the grieving process, looking forward to a life without the scrapping shortstop or struggling hurler.

There are, however, exceptions to this scenario: rookies whose debuts are characterized not by a period of prolonged uncertainty, but rather by an immediate (or at least relatively quick) positive impact on the club. While there have not been nearly as many standout rookies in the 2007 as there were in the historic class of '06, there are still a handful of skilled youngsters making a splash already over the first half of their inaugural season.

Dustin Pedroia (SD): After an April in which he spent 9 days under the Mendoza line, Pedroia has quickly demonstrated that his ability to consistently get the bat on the ball could translate to the majors, batting .319 on the season with 34 runs and 25 RBI with only 22 K's. While his contribution long term will probably be limited to average and runs, he seems primed to contribute more than adequately at those posts with his miniscule strikeout rate and .400 OBP in a loaded lineup.

Delmon Young(RAK): Following through on the promise of his performance in short time last season, Young leads all rookies in hits and RBIs (48). Throw in his 9 homers and 40 runs with a reasonable average (.279) and you have a more than serviceable 3rd outfielder with a very high ceiling.

Reggie Willits(RAK): The speedy outfielder represents the star of the rookie class in the all important category of steals (19) while maintaining a .326 average and scoring 39 runs in the first half. His power numbers are only slightly under par (0 HR , 25 RBI) and are more than compensated for by his performance in the other three categories.

Troy Tulowitzki(SD): After a slow April, the big shortstop has buoyed his average to a respectable .286 while leading all rookies in runs scored (48) and supplying strong power numbers for his position with 9 HR and 37 RBI's. He seems to have corrected his plate-patience issues (and has subsequently collected 32 walks) and appears poised for a strong second half.

Daisuke Matsuzaka(ARL): With the far greater number of adjustments needed for pitchers to be successful in the big leagues (and despite the abherration of the '06 class of pitchers) it is not surprising that the only pitcher to make the list is arguably not even a rookie. What he is, however, is the real deal. This Japanese import and #1 overall draft pick is a strikeout machine and 10 game winner at the break, while maintaining a sub-4 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. While his starts occasionally appear bipolar relative to one another, he is still dominating all qualifying rookie pitchers in every major category and could easily pick up 16-17 wins and 200 K this season.

Hunter Pence(TIJ): The apparent cream of this crop at the halfway mark, Pence has put up all-star quality numbers despite the fact that his GM doesn't seem to think he's ready to compete in Tiujuana. With a gaudy .341 average, 11 HR and 41 RBI, as well as 38 runs and a not insignificant 7 thefts, Pence has by far the most complete line of any rookie. A seeming shoe-in for rookie of the year if he ever gets the call, Pence seems more than ready to ignite an outfield in Tiujana which has appeared stagnant at points this season.