Neftali Feliz Wins A.L. Rookie of the Year

In what is not shocking news, Rangers closer Neftali Feliz was named today as the American League Rookie of the Year.  The 22-year-old got 20 of 28 first place votes to bring home the award.  He's the first Ranger to win the award since the only other Texas winner, Mike Hargrove, in 1974.  To put that in perspective, Feliz was born in 1988.

Feliz set a rookie record with 40 saves in 2010.  He's the second consecutive A.L. West closer to win, joining Oakland's Andrew Bailey from 2009.  Bailey edged out Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus last year.

The Rookie of the Year Award, which is actually the Jackie Robinson Award, but never really called that, is not necessarily a guarantee of future, or even long term, success in the big leagues.  Consider these former winners from the past two decades: 

• American League:  Bobby Crosby (A's, SS, 2004), Angel Berroa (Royals, SS, 2003), Eric Hinske (Blue Jays, 3B, 2002), Ben Grieve (A's, OF, 1998), Marty Cordova (Twins, OF, 1995), and my personal favorite, Bob "The Hammer" Hamelin (Royals, DH, 1994).
• National League:  Dontrelle Willis (Marlins, LHP, 2003), Jason Jennings (Rockies, RHP, 2002), Scott Williamson (Reds, RHP, 1999), and Todd Hollandsworth (Dodgers, OF, 1996).

But with Feliz, I'm hoping that he falls into the list of superstars that have begun their careers bringing in the hardware.

• American League:  Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners, OF, 2001), Carlos Beltran (Royals, OF, 1999), and Derek Jeter (Yankees, SS, 1996).
• National League:  Ryan Braun (Brewers, OF, 2007), Hanley Ramirez (Marlins, SS, 2006), Ryan Howard (Phillies, 1B, 2005), Albert Pujols (Cardinals, 3B, 2001), Mike Piazza (Dodgers, C, 1993), and Jeff Bagwell (Astros, 1B, 1991).

The interesting thing with Feliz is that he still has the potential to be an above-average starting pitcher if the Rangers decide to move him to the rotation at some point.  But after he showed so much as a closer in 2010, converting 40 of 43 save opportunities, and with no real in-house candidates to take the job from him, I think you have to go forward with him penciled in as the closer, at least for 2011.

And that works just fine with me.