Griffin: Jays’ J.P. Arencibia surprisingly blanked in AL rookie voting

However, after that there was certainly room for the steady Arencibia on someone’s ballot as a third-place vote. Catching is the toughest position on the field and Arencibia, in addition to racking up 23 homers and 78 RBIs, both second among AL rookies, had to worry about handling the complicated, physical demands of the position. No other rookie candidate had to worry about leading a staff through nine innings and controlling the running game while trying to correct flawed footwork behind the plate and bad habits when it comes to blocking balls. He progressed on all fronts.

...Certainly nobody was expecting Arencibia to actually win the award, so that’s not the issue. He has a weakness catching balls from the top of his left knee to his left ankle and he batted just .219, but the fact that M’s second baseman Dustin Ackley, promoted to the majors on June 17, received a first- and a third-place nod and Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings secured a third-place recognition despite a mere 247 at-bats and not playing his first ML game until July 23 is a joke.

Thanks to Chet.