The American League Rookie of the Year race is over. Let's say Mike Trout doesn't get another hit for the rest of the year, going 0-for-125. He'd still finish the year with a .261 batting average, 24 home runs and 40-plus stolen bases.
Now anyone predicting Mike Trout for Rookie of the Year honors would not have exactly gone out on a limb, but how many people took Todd Frazier for National League honors before the season? (For more on Frazier's breakout, check out Jerry Crasnick's feature on him.) A look at the winners of the award throughout history shows a combination of obvious choices and plenty of surprises.
So who does the crystal ball say are next year's nominees? It's a tough combination of talent and potential opportunity for playing time. Here are the big names, as well as some possible surprises in each league.