Rookie Triple Crown Question.

[futurebrewerfather]

The other night I heard the announcers say Braun has a chance at the Rookie Triple Crown (most HRs, RBIs & best Avg of all Rookies). Has this ever been done before? Who, When?

Also, has a Rookie ever won the major league batting title?

 

I know when Braun got drafted the majority of the talk was if his D would be good enough to play 3rd, and the secondary talk seemed to be he had a great bat. But were the projections saying he would be this good with the wood?

 

I also think that Braun's success has people expecting too much from LaPorta too fast. I'm reading posts that already have him penciled in for '09 and even a few that say he could be up next year. Don't get me wrong, I hope and expect very good things from him, but not even considering he's playing a new position for the 1st time, just because the Brewers felt he was the best bat in the draft and "advanced" doesn't mean he's a lock to fly right thru the system like Braun did. I think Braun is the exception not the rule.

[davebobn]

Keep in mind that LaPorta was a rare college senior 1st round draft pick. He's older and more polished than your high school pick and most likely will get through the lower levels of minor league ball faster than an 18 year old. I don't think its crazy to believe he'll be around in 2009.

[Fatter than Joey]

The other night I heard the announcers say Braun has a chance at the Rookie Triple Crown (most HRs, RBIs & best Avg of all Rookies). Has this ever been done before?

 

I have never heard of such a thing. I suspect it has been done, and has to be WAY easier to do than the regular triple crown.

 

Also, has a Rookie ever won the major league batting title?

 

Off the top of my head,

 

Ichiro won a BA title as a Rookie

Al Kaline won a BA title at the age of 20

Fred Lynn won league MVP as a rookie -- I dont think he was the BA champ though -- but I am sure he would have led in OPS. Fred Lynn had a monster rookie campaign -- probably one of the best I have ever seen.

 

But were the projections saying he would be this good with the wood?

 

It's a bit early yet to say Braun is "this good"-- He has the luxury of batting in front of a MVP candidate, and I suspect at some point here MLB pitchers will make some adjustments, and find a way to slow Braun down a bit. He sure looks like a special player though.

 

I also think that Braun's success has people expecting too much from LaPorta too fast.... I think Braun is the exception not the rule.

 

I think you are probably right, however, I do agree with the next poster that it isn't "crazy" or unreasonable to think LaPorta could start in 2009. Certainly though, Braun is special, and this sort of rookie campaign happens rather infrequently.