Was Masahiro Tanaka Snubbed In Rookie Of The Year Voting?

The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) released their three finalists for the American League Rookie Of The Year award on Tuesday. Though all three candidates had excellent seasons, there is one player that shouldn’t have been on this list and another that should’ve replaced him.

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The clear favorite for the award is Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu who hit .317 while crushing 36 home runs and driving in 107 runs (all top five in American League.)

Another nominee is Yankees reliever Dellin Betances who posted a 1.40 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, a .147 batting average against, and 135 strikeouts. What made these numbers even more eye-popping is that he only walked 24 batters in 90 innings (70 appearances.)

However, the one player on this list that doesn’t belong is Los Angeles Angels starter Matt Shoemaker who went 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and a .241 batting average against.

The reasons that Shoemaker shouldn’t be a finalist are that his home/road splits aren’t favorable and there is another player that’s more qualified.

In 16 home games (11 starts) his ERA was a solid 2.10, but in 11 road games (9 starts) his ERA was a less impressive 4.45. His candidacy is based on a solid second half, when he went 9-2 with a 1.87 ERA, a 0.843 WHIP, and a .202 batting average against, but the reason for those numbers might have more to do with a much more favorable setting.

In the second half he made five road starts and only made it through six innings twice. He did much better at home as he finished at least six innings in five of his six home starts.

The player that should be a finalist instead is Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka, who went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a .238 batting average against. He also struck out 141 batters for a K/9 rate of 9.3.

The reason that Tanaka isn’t a finalist is that he only made two second half starts after returning from a torn UCL, but he still managed to make as many starts and pitch as many innings as Shoemaker.

Tanaka led Shoemaker in ERA, WHIP, ERA+, strikeouts, opponents batting average, and FIP.

For the same overall sample size, Tanaka seems to have had a much better season and therefore should be the one who is still in the running for the Rookie Of the Year award.