Top of the Mornin': Aviles’ late call-up to majors may hurt him for honors
W e can all agree that Royals rookie shortstop
Mike Aviles is having a fabulous rookie season that has intrigued Royals fans everywhere.
The shame of it is, though, Aviles almost surely will come up short in American League Rookie of the Year honors. And that’s through no fault of his own.
Aviles simply got called up too late. He’s played in only about half the number of games that other rookie candidates like Evan Longoria, Jacoby Ellsbury and David Murphy have played in.
So Aviles’ total numbers — .340 average, seven homers, 31 RBIs in 52 games — look undersized in comparison with someone like Longoria, who has 21 homers, 67 RBIs and a .279 average in 100 games.
And the real killer is that Aviles might be dreaming about winning a batting crown in his rookie season if he just had enough plate appearances. To qualify for the batting race, a hitter needs at least 3.1 plate appearances per team games played.
Aviles had 219 plate appearances before Monday’s game and, with fewer than 50 games left in the season, won’t get to the 502 plate appearances needed.
In terms of the Rookie of the Year candidates, Murphy, a Texas outfielder, should give Longoria a run for the money. Murphy is hitting .268 with 14 homers and 71 RBIs.
Ellsbury, Boston’s energetic outfielder, has two things going for him: He has stolen 35 bases, and he plays in Boston.
Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga also will merit some serious consideration. He’s 9-4 with a 3.23 ERA.
That said, Royals officials haven’t given up on Aviles’ chances for the rookie award.
As one Royals official told me, “We go to New York next week, and you can bet we’ll be pounding our chest a little to people in New York, trying to get Aviles’ name out there. You never know. If Mike stays hot and the other guys slump…”
Kicking for Colts
Former Missouri Tigers kicker Adam Crossett, who was waived by the Colts on July 25, was re-signed last weekend so the Colts could give some rest this preseason for Adam Vinatieri.
So, realistically, Crossett simply is auditioning for a job elsewhere and showed his ability in the Colts’ preseason opener by hitting a 28-yard field goal and also drilling a 54-yard punt.
Samie Parker’s hope
Former Chief wide receiver Samie Parker, whose career never got going here after being a fourth-round pick in 2004, thinks he may have found a home with the Denver Broncos.
“I felt it was the best situation for me to be in,” Parker said after practice last weekend. “The Broncos had Brandon Marshall, and he was pretty much the only guy they had here that was established.
“I know in Denver, the receivers are expected to make big plays. I want to keep that tradition going.”
Hmm. Receivers aren’t expected to make big plays here?
To reach Jeffrey Flanagan call 816-234-4492 and leave a message or send e-mail to jflanagan@kcstar.com
