Power Players Poll of the Week

SI Staff | Jun 24, 2010

Power Players Poll of the Week /

Power Players Poll of the Week

Justin Smoak

Who'll hit the most home runs this year? Which pitcher will have the most strikeouts? Those questions and others will be posed by SI.com over the next two months in a series of poll galleries with a ballot on the last frame. This week's question: Who'll win the AL Rookie of the year award? The Rangers selected Smoak with the 11th pick in the 2008 MLB Draft to replace Mark Texiera, and the 23-year-old switch hitting first baseman from South Carolina doesn't appear to be backing down from the challenge. Through June 23 he was batting .223, but with an OBP over .330. He had seven hits, two HR and eight RBI in a recent three-game stretch.

Neftali Feliz

It's an embarrassment of riches for the Texas Rangers. Not only do they have Smoak, but oh, by the way, Neftali Feliz was leading the AL in saves as of June 24. Feliz is a 22-year-old Dominican-born rookie pitching like he's been in the league for 10 years. Through June 24 he has 20 saves, an ERA of 2.78 with a WHIP of 0.96.

Carlos Santana

When Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals came to town, the Indians called up their top hitting prospect in catcher Carlos Santana, who was batting .316 with 13 HR and 51 RBI in 57 games in AAA. The 24-year-old converted infielder hasn't just been good, he's been supernatural. He had 12 hits in his first 11 games, six of them doubles and two home runs, good for a .706 slugging percentage.

Brennan Boesch

The Tiger's thrid-round pick in 2006 from Cal has taken a little while to get to the Major Leagues, but he has been worth the wait for Jim Leyland's team. As of June 23, the 6'6" Boesch was batting .337 with 11 HR and 39 RBI. He's taking his walks, getting on base almost 40% of the time and was slugging .624.

Austin Jackson

Austin Jackson's career in Detroit will almost certainly be measured against the production of Curtis Granderson in the Bronx, and right now the Tiger's like what they see. Jackson was batting .307 with one homer and 15 RBI as of June 23, and had 10 stolen bases while only being caught twice. He could be running his way into the AL ROTY race.

Wade Davis

Davis Started the season 4-1 but stood 5-8 as of June 23. The third-round pick in the 2004 MLB Draft is yet another home-grown Rays prospect contributing on a team loaded with talent.

Brian Matusz

The Orioles are pinning their future on their answer to the Big Three that kept Oakland in contention during the 2000's (Zito, Moulder, Hudson) with their version of Jake Arrieta, Chris Tillman and Matusz. All three are now in the Majors and the 23-year-old, 2008 fourth overall pick Matusz is doing his best with the paltry run support given him in 15 starts. He reached June 23 with a 2-8 record and 4.95 ERA.

Sergio Santos

The 26-year-old reliever has allowed only six earned runs and struck out 28 in 21.2 IP with a 2.49 ERA. Santos, who also has eight holds this year, has said he'd like to be a closer one day. With the White Sox hovering around .500, his role could become more prominent if Ozzie Guillen and Ken Williams decide to be sellers at the trade deadline.

Published Jun 24, 2010

SI STAFF