2019 Rookie of the Year: Breaking down the finalists

Awards announcements represent the final chapter of a Major League Baseball season.

The first winners will be revealed Monday when the Baseball Writers Association of America names the American and National League Rookies of the Year.

This race should be more clear cut than last year’s, but closer than the 2017 contest. The awards winners should follow the theme of the 2019 season as the big boppers with the gaudy home-run numbers are likely to take home the hardware.

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso and Houston Astros bruiser Yordan Alvarez are the league’s respective frontrunners. But cases can be made for Mike Soroka, who emerged as an ace for an Atlanta Braves club that won a second consecutive division title, and John Means, one of the few bright spots for a 54-win Baltimore Orioles squad.

Interesting to ponder, perhaps less for who will win, and more concerning what careers we can expect from these players.