There is versatility amongst the American League ROY candidates. Some say that an everyday player should win the award. Well, there are a few of them. Some say it should be a dominant starting pitcher. There are also a few of them. There is even a closer.

These are the three frontrunners:Elvis Andrus of the Texas Rangers is the everyday shortstop, forcing the move of All-Star Michael Young to third base. His offensive numbers are not eye-popping, though consistent, and his defense has been outstanding at times and mediocre at others (hence the 22 errors). However, his speed (32 stolen bases) and footwork allow him to get to balls other shortstops cannot. Andrus plays one of the most demanding positions in baseball, on a team that was competing for a playoff spot into the month of September. As the opening day starter, Andrus has played in over 140 games for the Rangers.141 G/159 .266 avg 6 HR 35 RBI 38 BB/ 75 K .327 OBP 32SB

Rick Porcello is a 20-year old phenom pitcher for the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers. Porcello won over manager Jim Leyland in spring training to earn a spot in the rotation, despite spending 2008 in High-A (his first full professional season).

Porcello has worked to stay consistent and has become one of the Tigers top three starters (behind Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson). Porcello garnered the Rookie of the Month award in May.
153.2 IP 14-9 4.04 ERA 81 K/50 BB .270 avg 22 HR allowed

The Tampa Bay Rays have a legitimate ROY starter, though it’s not the one you might expect. Jeff Niemann, not David Price, has become a consistent workhorse for the Rays. Niemann, a 2004-draft pick out of Rice, has pitched 2 complete game shutouts with an ERA under 4.
175.2 IP 12-6 3.94 ERA 120 K/58 BB .265 avg 17 HR allowed

The rest of the field:The Toronto Blue Jays have relied on Roy Halladay and a laundry list of rookie starting pitchers. One of those rookie pitchers, Ricky Romero, has exceeded all expectations. A first-round pick in 2005 out of Cal State Fullerton, Romero was considered a bust before putting it all together in Triple-A in 2008 and this season. The lefty can pile up strikeouts, though he tends to walk to many.171.1 IP 13-9 4.26 ERA 133 K/76 BB .288 avg 17 HR allowed

Last year, Gordon Beckham, was a power-hitting shortstop playing in the College World Series final for runner-up Georgia. This year, Beckham has moved to third base and is showing manager Ozzie Guillen and the fans in Chicago why he belongs. Despite his 14 errors at third, and struggling at the onset of his promotion, Beckham has become a key cog in the White Sox lineup. Beckham garnered the Rookie of the Month award in July.100 G/159 .272 avg 14 HR 63 RBI 40 BB/62 K

The only Oakland A’s All-Star this year was rookie closer Andrew Bailey. Even though President Obama knew of him, many in the country do not. Bailey has taken over nicely for traded closer Huston Street and is an unexpected candidate for the award. His numbers do not lie:81.1 IP 6-3 1.81 ERA 26 SV 89 K/24 BB .190 avg

At midseason, the struggling Baltimore Orioles had two legitimate candidates for ROY until injuries ended their seasons. Starter Brad Bergesen was an unexpected call-up when injuries to the starting rotation forced a call-up and the O’s didn’t want to rush one of their prized arms. Bergesen pitched stellar, a bright spot to a rather dismal pitching staff. Before taking a line drive off of his left shin on 7/30 and thus ending his season, Bergesen’s ERA was 3.43, very respectable in the AL, and even more amazing for a rookie.123.1 IP(1 CG) 7-5 3.43 ERA 65 K/32 BB .265 avg 11 HR allowed

Leftfielder  Nolan Reimold quietly put together a great season in Baltimore, solidifying a young outfield and giving O’s fans something to be excited about. Reimold, playing most of the season with a partial tear to his Achilles tendon, was overshadowed by fellow rookie Matt Wieters and the ascension of the prized pitchers. “I’m just saying if you observe the way the kid plays, all of you would marvel that he runs the ball out all the time or he plays hard all the time. My contention is that he does it in spite of the fact that the guy hasn’t been 100 percent all year. I think that says a lot about him,” said O’s manager Dave Trembley.

Reimold garnered the Rookie of the Month award in June for his solid offensive numbers and solid defense (7 outfield assists). With the O’s out of contention, Reimold was shut down on 9/18 to have surgery and be ready for his sophomore season. Both Bergesen and Reimold both had t-shirt giveaways at Camden Yards this season. “I would say Reimold as a position player and Bergesen [were the biggest surprises],” said Trembley. “Both guys didn’t make the team out of Spring Training. Both guys had never played above Double-A. And both guys put up very good numbers.”
104 G/159 .279 avg 15 HR 45 RBI 47 BB/77 K

*stats as of 10/1 from MLB.com