1987 Rookie of the Year Candidates

1986 finally brought redemption! It only took four years of guessing and predicting, last season was the first time that a player in these yearly predictions finally won Rookie of the Year in the National League. Was it a fluke or does that bode well for one of the five players included here? Only time will tell if I am getting better or if last season was an aberration for this small-brained writer.

SP Jim Lawless – Chicago Cubs

#1 Overall Prospect

According to some voices around the league, the discussion for RotY should start and end with Lawless. His pedigree and performance in the Minor Leagues may give that idea credence, even with a less than impressive debut late in 1986. In five starts for the Cubs, Lawless managed a 4.44 ERA, a 9:5 K:BB ratio, and a 4.84 FIP over 24.1 IP. Being such a small sample size, it could be a better indicator to look at his numbers before being called up to RLB. He took a quick rise through the San Diego and Chicago systems, starting the year in A ball and working his way up to AAA. Over all three levels, Lawless posted a 2.16 ERA, 149 K and only 34 walks over 158.1 IP. He relies heavily on two pitches, an elite sinker and changeup. The right-hander also possesses a below average curve and knuckle curve, the latter of which he rarely uses. Will his overpowering stuff make up for the lack of a third pitch? That is the question to be asked, if Lawless can find a way to succeed through a third turn from the lineup he could find himself as one of the best starting pitchers in the NL.

SP Danny Vera – San Francisco Giants

#2 Overall Prospect

Breaking News: The Giants have again ended up with a top pitching prospect that could help anchor their rotation for the near future. San Francisco acquired Vera from the Chicago Cubs in 1985 in a trade that sent Tim Wilson to the Cubs. Ranked as the #21 overall prospect at the time of the trade, Vera has matured and developed into the #2 prospect over the last two seasons. Much like Lawless, Vera struggled in his brief RLB appearance late last season, posting a 6.94 ERA over just 2 starts and 11.2 IP. The 21-year-old lefty features four above average pitches in his repertoire, highlighted by a 100 MPH fastball and knee-buckling curve. Vera also does not have any problems pitching to righties, which will help him to pitch deeper into games and not be effected by the platoon heavy lineups around the NL. He is currently slotted into the back of the Giants rotation, but has the talent to pitch like a front of the rotation starter as soon as this season.

LF Santiago Alvarez

#38 Overall Prospect

Alvarez entered the Expos system via a scouting trip to the Dominican Republic in 1981, and he has not looked back since. He was promoted into the Expos Rookie League team in 1982 and in his minor league career, he slashed .303/.358/.443 with 50 HR and 331 RBI. He profiles as an average power hitter in RLB and should hit for a high average. Alvarez is also versatile in the field, able to play virtually anywhere outside of catcher and shortstop. He can hit left-handers almost as well as righties, which will keep him in the lineup every day. The Expos look to put him into the third spot in the lineup every day, giving Alvarez plenty of opportunities to rack up RBI numbers. Alvarez showed plenty of promise this spring hitting .328/.380/.453 in 64 AB’s through Spring Training. If that success carries over into the regular season, Alvarez could give a serious run at being the best rookie in the NL this year.

DH Michael Liddick – Pittsburgh Pirates

#58 Overall Prospect

The Pirates drafted Liddick in the third round (77th overall) in 1984, and despite being unplayable in the field the left-handed hitter has made a quick rise through the Pittsburgh organization. Just 20 years old, Liddick will start the season as the DH against right-handed starters. He already has the tools to be an elite contact hitter to go along with above average power potential. Liddick is getting his first taste against RLB pitching after hitting just .259 between AA and AAA last season. There may be some growing pains; the Pirate organization hopes to alleviate that by limiting his at-bats against left-handed pitching. Not playing in the field will also limit his potential WAR, but his bat may be good enough to accumulate big enough numbers at the plate to make up for his lack of a glove.

1B Elias de la Cruz – Florida Marlins

#59 Overall Prospect

The Marlins may have found the gem of the Rule 5 draft this past off-season. Selected from the Giants as their second choice, de la Cruz is set to start at 1B and hit third every day in the Marlins lineup. There is no real weakness in his game, the biggest question for him will be the adjustment from playing in Short Season A ball last season to being in RLB this year. De la Cruz put up impressive numbers in 1986, slashing .364/.447/.714 with a 218 OPS+ across 31 games in SA. He may not win a Gold Glove anytime soon, but de la Cruz is more than capable at first, which will help to keep him in the lineup every day. Spring Training was a struggle, he only managed a .207/.254/.293 line in his first experience against seasoned pitching. De la Cruz comes with a low risk for the Marlins, with the potential reward being great if he can live up to expectations.