Romero rides scoreless streak to top of AL Rookie heap

By James Bailey

Blue Jays lefthander Ricky Romero has been one of the biggest surprises in the American League. The team’s 2005 first-round pick posted nearly a 5.00 ERA in 21 Double-A starts last year and wasn’t expected to contribute at the major league level this season. However, Toronto’s starting rotation has been gutted by injuries and Romero is one of several young pitchers to get an opportunity. Despite missing a month following an oblique strain in April, he’s 7-3 and his 2.96 ERA leads all rookie starters. His 24-inning scoreless string, spanning four starts, ended with a fifth-inning home run by Eric Hinske on Monday, though he still earned the win to salvage the final game of a four-game set with the Yankees. That was his fourth straight victory. Romero, 24, looks like the man to beat at this point.

See also: Power gives Rasmus edge in NL Rookie race 7/11/09

In 2006 the top three finishers in the AL Rookie of the Year race were pitchers. Tigers righthander Justin Verlander captured the award, going 17-9 with a 3.63 ERA in 30 starts. Then came Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon and Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano. Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima (.291-18-76) was the top hitter on the list, at a distant fourth. Nick Markakis (.292-16-62) and Ian Kinsler (.286-14-55) were the only other position players to receive votes. We could be looking at another pitcher heavy vote this fall.

Twenty-year-old Tigers righthander Rick Porcello leads all rookie pitchers in wins, with eight. He has been brilliant at times, though he’s had an inconsistent first half. Since going 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA in May he’s just 2-3 with a 5.09 ERA and 15 walks against 15 strikeouts in seven starts. He’s yet to strike out more than five hitters in a game all season.

Romero’s rotation mate Scott Richmond has been another pleasant surprise for the Blue Jays. Richmond spent three seasons pitching in the independent Northern League (2005-07) before even getting a chance to sign with Toronto last year. He’s moved quickly since. His escalation has been halted for the moment by shoulder inflammation, which landed him on the DL this week. If all goes well he could return shortly after the All-Star break.

Oakland has several candidates for the award, each of whom has taken a moment in the spotlight. The most consistent has been reliever Andrew Bailey, who has collected nine saves while posting a 1.01 WHIP in 37 games. A starter until midway through the 2008 season at Double-A Midland, he’s been a natural in the pen. Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson have held spots in the rotation since the season opened. Each has turned in a handful of gems, though their ERAs are still in the high 4’s. Anderson tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout at Boston in his last start, striking out nine and walking just two. Since starting out 0-4 with a 6.03 ERA in his first six starts he’s gone 5-3 with a 4.15 ERA. Cahill’s record stood at 5-5 with a 3.68 ERA after he topped the Giants on June 22, but he’s been touched for 12 earned runs in 7.1 innings in two starts since then. Josh Outman, who went 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 14 appearances for the A’s, will miss the rest of the season following Tommy John surgery.

David Price, regarded by many as the top pitching prospect in the game entering the season, has had a rough go of things since the Rays summoned him in late May. The question all spring was why Tampa Bay didn’t call him up sooner. It has since changed to how long can they keep him in their rotation? Price has lasted six innings or more only twice in his eight starts. Five times he’s walked at least five batters.

Here are the top rookie pitchers, stats through games of July 8.

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold leads all rookie hitters with nine homers and 23 RBIs, numbers which even doubled don’t etch themselves onto the Rookie trophy. His teammate Matt Wieters didn’t arrive until the end of May and has slowly warmed up after a frigid start. He’s got the credentials to put up a big second half, but he’s shown no signs to this point that he’s about to take control of the race.

Brett Gardner, who was just barely held under the rookie limit of 130 at-bats last year with 127, has played exciting ball for the Yankees in semi-regular duty. He leads all serious rookie contenders with a .287 average and 18 stolen bases. He’s only been caught three times on the base paths and has played a fine center field.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus gets points for steady play, though Texas has placed little pressure on him to produce offensively. His defense has been a plus, but that’s unlikely to garner him much support.

Here are the top rookie hitters:

Tagged as: Andrew Bailey, Brett Anderson, Brett Gardner, David Price, Elvis Andrus, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold, Rick Porcello, Ricky Romero, Scott Richmond, Trevor Cahill