If only Kolten Wong’s knack for timely home runs in the postseason wasn’t ultimately untimely in determining National League Rookie of the Year.
Mets’ right-hander Jacob deGrom flashed a gaudy ERA, while Reds’ outfielder Billy Hamilton was a flash on the basepaths.
But it was Wong who left a lasting impression in 2014 with three home runs and seven extra-base hits during the Cardinals’ playoff run. Unfortunately for Wong and Big Island pride, only regular-season numbers matter Monday when the award will be unveiled on MLB Network at 1 p.m. HST.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced last week that Wong, deGrom (9-6, 2.69 ERA) and Hamilton (.250 average, six home runs, 48 RBIs, 56 steals) were in consideration as the top three vote-getters.
Wong, a second baseman, ranked in the top seven among rookies in slugging percentage (.388), hits (100), doubles (14), home runs (12), RBIs (42) and steals (20), and he raised his batting average in the second half of the season, finishing at .249.
Hamilton, meanwhile, saw his numbers dip in the second half.
MLB.com called deGrom the favorite — he won the Players Choice Award for NL Outstanding Rookie last week — and Major League Baseball TV analyst Ron Darling, a former Met, told the New York Post that deGrom was a “lock” for the award.
Hurting deGrom’s candidacy could be that he didn’t debut until mid-May and his 140 1/3 innings pitched would be the lowest for a Rookie of the Year.
For the record, Wong pocketed NL Rookie of the Month back in May.
In the American League, White Sox slugger Jose Abreu is favored to beat out Angels starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker and Yankees reliever Dellin Betances.
