On November 8th, Major League Baseball announced the results of the Rookie of the Year Award balloting with Oakland's right-handed hitting, shortstop Bobby Crosby winning the title in the American League and Pittsburgh's right-handed hitting, left fielder Jason Bay claiming the honor in the National League.

The Athletics drafted Crosby out of Long Beach State University with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 draft. After signing, Crosby reported to A+ Modesto in the California League. He then split 2002 between Modesto and AA Midland in the Texas League before advancing to AAA Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League in 2003. He debuted in the majors on September 2nd of 2003 in Baltimore, pinch-hitting for DH-L Erubiel Durazo in the 10th inning. Crosby demonstrated solid plate discipline throughout his time in the minors and displayed substantial power and speed at AAA. Consequently, the A's comfortably allowed SS-R Miguel Tejada to leave as a free agent last off-season with the intention of installing Crosby at short in the spring of 2004.

Serving as Oakland's starting shortstop this season, the 6'3", 195-pound, 24-year-old Californian hit .239 with a .319 OBP and .426 SLG on 130 H, 34 2B, 1 3B, and 22 HR with a 58:141 BB:K and 7/10 SB% in 545 AB. Although his contact rate suppressed his batting average, he contributed strong at-bats to Oakland's playoff drive with his ability to take a walk and hit the ball hard when he made contact, while also displaying useful speed. I expect Crosby's power to continue to grow over the next few seasons, and if his contact rate improves, he should make the jump from solid regular to All-Star.

When constructing our theoretical ballot, we gave our first place vote to Kansas City right-handed, starting pitcher Zack Greinke, however Crosby was a close second, and we have no problem with him receiving the award. We were disappointed that Greinke only came in fourth in the balloting, and our third place choice, Oakland right-handed reliever Justin Duchscherer, did not receive any votes. Greinke compiled a 100:26 K:BB with 143 H and 26 HR allowed in 145 IP for a 3.97 ERA, finishing the season with an 8-11 record over 24 starts. Duchscherer finished with a 7-6 record after compiling a 59:32 K:BB with 85 H and 13 HR allowed in 96.1 IP for a 3.27 ERA over 53 appearances.

Jason Bay belonged to three organizations before landing with the Pirates. Montreal drafted Bay out of Gonzaga University with a 22nd round pick in the 2000 draft. However, in March of 2002, the Expos dealt him to the Mets as part of a deal for UT-R Lou Collier. In July of that same season, New York forwarded him to the Padres in a five-player trade. Bay then moved from San Diego to Pittsburgh in August of 2003 as part of the Padres' package for OF-L Brian Giles.

Bay progressed steadily through the minors between his frequent address changes. After closing out the 2000 season at Vermont in the Short-Season New York Pennsylvania League, he split 2001 between A+ Jupiter in the Florida State League and A Clinton in the Midwest League. His 2002 season was divided between A+ St. Lucie in the FSL, AA Binghamton in the Eastern League, and AA Mobile in the Southern League. Bay began the 2003 season at AAA Portland in the Pacific Coast League. Throughout his minor league career, he displayed impressive plate discipline complemented by substantial power and speed. He made his major league debut as San Diego's starting centerfielder on May 23rd of 2003 in Arizona. Unfortunately, he broke his right wrist a few days later and headed to the disabled list. Following the injury, he was not recalled until after his trade to Pittsburgh in late August, so he retained his rookie status entering this season.

Bay opened the 2004 season on the disabled list following off-season surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but the 6'2", 200-pound, native of British Colombia joined the team in early May. Despite suffering some lingering shoulder trouble, he hit .282 with a .358 OBP and .550 SLG on 116 H, 24 2B, 4 3B, and 26 HR with a 41:129 BB:K and 4/10 SB% in 411 AB. I look forward to seeing the numbers he will post when fully healthy. Although the 26-year-old's contact rate could develop into a trouble spot, his power and plate discipline should secure him a starting job for years to come.

Like Crosby, Bay was not our first choice for rookie of the year. We supported San Diego right-handed hitting, shortstop Khalil Greene, however Bay was a close second for us, and we do not object to his win. Fortunately, the voters had a better grasp of the National League rookie field, as Greene finished second in the voting, and the vote affirmed our third selection, San Diego right-handed reliever Akinori Otsuka. Greene hit .273 with a .349 OBP and .446 SLG on 132 H, 31 2B, 4 3B, and 15 HR with a 53:94 BB:K and 4/6 SB% in 484 AB. Otsuka compiled an 87:26 K:BB with 56 H and 6 HR allowed in 77.1 IP for a 1.75 ERA over 73 appearances, finishing with a 7-2 record and 2 saves.