Here in Philly, it’s hard to think of J.A. Happ as a rookie. He was a valuable contributor to last season, so not many people think of him as a rookie.
However, he fits the guidelines for being eligible for ROTY in 2009. Those guidelines are that the player in question can’t have 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days on the active roster of a major league club (excluding time on the disabled list) before September 1. Happ fits all those, so of course, he’s eligible for the award this season.
What a season he’s been turning in so far. After losing a heated battle with Chan Ho Park during spring training for the 5th spot, he went to the bullpen and pitched well in that role. He went 2-0 in 12 appearances out of the bullpen. After being promoted to the rotation, all he’s done is go 4-0 in 10 starts. He’s got a 2.90 ERA on the season, which is by far the best in the rotation.
Since he’s been having this great season, his name has crept into the discussion for ROTY. He’s in that discussion with the likes of Cameron Maybin, Andrew McCutchen, Dexter Fowler, and Colby Rasmus. Most of them haven’t been having the typical season a ROTY is supposed to have, save McCutchen. He’s jumped right into that spot in Pittsburgh after the Pirates traded away Nate McClouth. I would peg him as the top competition with J.A. Happ for the award this season.
With all of the talk about Roy Halladay, this may be a moot discussion. Happ could be pitching in the American League by the end of the month, but I’m hopeful he can stick around and team with Hamels and Halladay to create that awesome Triple H rotation.
Happs’s pursuit of the ROTY, which would be the Phillies’ second since Ryan Howard in 2005 and 4th overall, joining Scott Rolen and Jack Sanford, is just one of many storylines to follow during the 2nd half.
-KK
