AL Rookie of the Year

CBSSports.com staff

Winner: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox -- Story | Voting Results
User Choice: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
Scott Miller's prediction: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox.
He is on the verge of becoming a breakout star following his contributions to Boston winning its second World Series in four seasons, but Pedroia already was deserving of the AL rookie award based on his regular-season numbers. He was predictably overshadowed by Goliaths David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, and he one day might be overshadowed by his fellow 2007 rookie, Jacoby Ellsbury, who might become the next Grady Sizemore. But Pedroia overcame a terribly slow start to hit over .300 and played solid defense all year at second base, and don't underestimate how much pressure he played under in Boston.

The candidates

	Dustin Pedroia, BOS
	We all know how Pedroia's rookie season, and postseason came to an end, but since all votes are in before the playoffs, let's recap his season. After struggling through April (.182 average for the month), he got it together and was strong the rest of the way. His .317 average led all rookies.

AB	AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
520	.317	86	8	50	7

	Delmon Young, TB
	Young played in all 162 games and led the club in hits and doubles. His defensive abilities in right field are also a plus. He has a lot more power than he's shown, but he was consistent at the plate and should continue to produce and improve his game with experience.

AB	AVG	R	HR	RBI	SB
645	.288	65	13	93	10

	Brian Bannister, KC
	He started the season at Triple-A but made his way into the Royals rotation. In 165 innings he tallied 12 wins, the most by a Royals pitcher in the last five years. He already garnered Rookie of the Month honors twice, and his 3.87 ERA beats fellow rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Red Sox. He's the son of former major league left-hander Floyd Bannister.

IP	W-L	ERA	SV	BB	K
165.0	12-9	3.87	0	44	77

	Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS
	The hype surrounding Dice-K's mega-million contract and transition from Japan put him in the spotlight. His 15 wins led all rookies, but he was trumped by Bannister in the ERA category. He started strong but the second half was not kind to him, and the slump could leave him out of the running.