With just over two weeks left in the 2009 season, let's take a look at the top rookie hitters in all of baseball, using the version of Runs Created used in The Fielding Bible—Volume II:
| 2009 Top Rookie Hitters, MLB | | Player | Runs Created |
| Chris Coghlan, Marlins | 74 |
| Seth Smith, Rockies | 62 |
| Dexter Fowler, Rockies | 62 |
| Nolan Reimold, Orioles | 60 |
| Andrew McCutchen, Pirates | 59 |
| Elvis Andrus, Rangers | 59 |
Florida's Chris Coghlan has been the best rookie hitter this year, but there's much more to being a valuable baseball player. In The Fielding Bible—Volume II, we combine a hitter's Runs Created with his baserunning and defensive contributions. We also take into account the difficultly of his defensive position, giving shortstops and catchers more credit for manning more vital defensive positions. The end result, Total Runs, gives us a good measure of a player's total contribution on the field:
| 2009 AL Rookie of the Year Candidates | | Player | Runs
Created | Baserunning
Runs | Runs Saved | Positional
Adjustment
| Total Runs |
| Elvis Andrus, Rangers | 59 | 4 | 11 | 27 | 101 |
| Nolan Reimold, Orioles | 60 | 0 | -1 | 10 | 69 |
| Jeff Niemann, Rays | 73* | 0 | -4 | 0 | 69 |
| Ricky Romero, Blue Jays | 67* | 0 | 1 | 0 | 68 |
| Andrew Bailey, A's | 66* | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66 |
*Pitchers use Pitching Runs Created from The Hardball Times website.
In the American League, Elvis Andrus flies high above the pack. His 11 Defensive Runs Saved rates as the fourth best total of all players at his position. He also takes extra bases and plays excellent defense at one of the most difficult positions on the field. Factoring all of this into account, he should be the favorite as the American League's top rookie.
| 2009 NL Rookie of the Year Candidates | | Player | Runs
Created | Baserunning
Runs | Runs Saved | Positional
Adjustment
| Total Runs |
| Colby Rasmus, Cardinals | 56 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 83 |
| J.A. Happ, Phillies | 81* | 0 | 1 | 0 | 82 |
| Seth Smith, Rockies | 62 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 77 |
| Chris Coghlan, Marlins | 74 | 0 | -13 | 12 | 73 |
| A. McCutchen, Pirates | 59 | 1 | -6 | 16 | 70 |
*Pitchers use Pitching Runs Created from The Hardball Times website.
Over in the Senior Circuit, the race is much closer. J.A. Happ has been a key component of the Phillies' title defense, but Colby Rasmus's offensive production and defensive prowess in center field is edging him out for the time being. If either one stands out over the final two weeks, that might be enough to win the award.