2022 Pat Listach Award contenders

Batters usually outshine pitchers in the rookie race with gaudy power numbers but this year there seemed to be a bumper crop of 1st-year hurlers, ranging from the spectacular to solid.

A pitcher has won the Listach Award only six times in DMBL history and the last time was 2011 (Philly's Travis Wood). The 2022 season seemed to yield a bumper crop of 1st-year hurlers -- thanks in part to a record 11 drafted in the 1st round -- and results ranged from solid to spectacular.

There were relatively few uber-prospects that made an impact last season. Instead the 2022 rookie class might be remembered more for the late bloomers who burst on the scene. Last season was more likely to see unheralded first-year players making names for themselves than the expectant superstars that get squirreled away on protected lists for multiple years.

The Pat Listach Award recognizes the DMBL's top rookie, defined as the year in which a player qualifies for DMBL for the first time (200 plate appearances for batters, 10 starts for starting pitchers, and 30 apperances or 50 innings for relief pitchers). There are three spots on the ballot, with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

The 2023 season will herald a class of rookies that include OF Julio Rodriguez and SS Bobby Witt in Hopatcong, C Adley Rutschmann in Loudon (or whoever buys the franchise), and Hoboken CF Michael Harris II, among others.

The latest wunderkind prospect, Wander Franco, already had made the rounds with several teams as an ineligible prospect before finally making his long-awaited debut in 2022 with Hoboken. The 21-year-old did it rather quietly in a shortstop platoon, slashing .276/.318/.393 with 7 HRs, 30 RBI and 46 runs in 83 games. Ain't nobody winning a Listach Award with those numbers.

Here's a look at a few more serious candidates, in no particular order. Rookies can be a hard lot to pin down given qualifications and players who may have been in MLB for years but still have not yet reached DMBL qualifications. If there's anyone I missed, feel free to cast your ballot as you see fit:

Tanner Houck, SP, Tucson

For those who say it's tougher for pitchers than batters in their rookie season, Houck might be your guy. He could very well have his eyes on not only the Listach Award as the league's top rookie but the McDonald Award, recognizing the season's best pitcher.

The 26-year-old was in the mix all season for the ERA crown ultimately finished 2nd in the DMBL to Jacob deGrom. He also tied for 2nd in wins (19-5), leading all rookies, and tied for 4th in H/9 (6.7) and WHIP (1.04) while finishing 2nd to deGrom in OPS (.582).

Joe Barlow, RP, Rockland

If you think starting pitchers get short shrift for the Listach as compared to batters, that's nothing compared to relievers. Bullpens often are full of one-season wonders that flame out after one glorious season.

Barlow did not quite lead the league in saves (that was Loudon's Ryan Pressly, with 33) but won the Eck Award thanks in part to a DMBL-best .933 save percentage. The 2022 2nd rounder ranked 2nd in saves (28) and 3rd in save opportunities (30). The 27-year-old also sported a 1.49 ERA and 0.94 WHIP and ranked 5th in the DMBL in inherited runners scored (.160, 4/25).

He outshined teammate, Alek Manoah, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, who struggled to a 12-12 mark and 4.47 ERA but registered 199 punch-outs in 199 1/3 innings with 1.19 WHIP.

Frank Schwindel, DH/1B, Vancouver

Lead the league in RBI as a rookie? Right this way for the Listach Award contenders dinner. Schwindel hammered 28 HRs -- which is impressive but not even in the top 10 in the league -- but drove in a DMBL-best 131 RBI -- 11 more than Livingston's Vlad Guerrero, Jr. He compiled 351 total bases, number 1 among rookies, and 4th in the league, and his 58 doubles ranked 3rd in DMBL, also 1st among rookies. He also had a 19-game hit streak during the year, good for the 3rd longest in 2022 (along with Erie's Tim Anderson).

The last pick of the 1st round, Schwindel tied for 3rd in the league in batting (.318) and ranked 8th in the league in RC/27 (7.1), however, he did not lead rookies in those two categories. More on that later.

The Livingston native is a classic first-year slugger, making his DMBL debut in his age-29 season and backing up the hype even if it may only be one glorious season. Primarily a DH, 32 of his 157 starts came at 1B.

Patrick Wisdom, 3B Hillsborough

The same could be said for Patrick Wisdom, who topped rookies with 37 HR. The 30-year-old also drove in 89 RBI while manning 3B for all 162 games. Where he might have some trouble garnering support is the .197/.266/.414 line and league-leading 277 strikeouts.

Rafael Ortega, CF, Tucson

Another late-bloomer, Ortega made his DMBL debut even later than Schwindel, in his age-31 season. He's the rookie who led all first-year players in batting (.333), RC/27 (8.1), and OPS (.949) - 2nd only to batting champ Bryce Harper - as well as HRs. His 29 dongs edged Schwindel by just one.

Where Schwindel put up counting numbers to lead rookies or be among the league leaders, Ortega posted higher in the percentage categories, qualifying with 523 plate appearances. He led rookies in OBP (.384, 4th in DMBL), SLG (.565, tied for 3rd), total average (.964, 4th). Ortega also added 12 stolen bases against 7 caught stealing; his .632 steal percentage tied for 8th in the league.

A knock on his Listach candidacy would be his limited playing time: 114 starts in a platoon split between CF (76) and LF (37). That would explain his counting numbers paling in comparison to Schwindel, with 75 RBI and 77 runs and 24 doubles.

Randy Arozarena, OF, Loudon

Loudon's first-ever draft pick, Arozarena was selected as an ineligible prospect in the first round of the 2021 draft and stuck with the Lollygaggers on their reserve list for the year. He made his debut in 2022 and more than held his own. The 27-year-old blasted 21 HRs to go with 26 doubles while driving in 74 RBI and 79 runs scored. He fashioned a respectable line of .278/.343/.436 and was particularly good versus LHP, ranking in the top 10 in the league in batting, on-base and OPS against lefties. The Cuban native also tallied 194 strikeouts against 50 walks and was basically 50/50 when it came to stealing bases: 8 stolen bases against 7 caught stealing.

Nestor Cortes, SP, Allentown

The left-hander compiled a formidable 14-8 mark and 3.41 ERA across 32 starts, as well as 3 relief appearances. He was right behind Houck in innings pitched with 190 and registered 180 Ks to with a 1.18 WHIP. CORRECTION: A team of fact-checkers working feverishly in the DMBL research room have unearthed that Nestor Cortes, while not yet appearing in the DMBL, did actually qualify to play in the 2020 season. He appeared in 33 games and 66 2/3 IP for the Yankees in 2019.

Jonathan India, 2B, Newark

Getting selected 2nd overall in the draft brings with it big expectations. India may not have had a Schwindel-like rookie campaign but for a first-year player, it was impressive and something on which to build. He tallied 36 doubles with 18 HRs, adding 71 RBI and 72 runs scored while slashing a respectable .247/.335/.428.

Tyler Stephenson, C, El Paso

The Chihuahua 1st rounder batted .248/.320/.363 in 622 plate appearances. Is that great? Maybe not but making 138 starts behind the plate as a catcher should get you something. He also tallied 25 doubles and 13 HRs while knocking in 53 RBI and 67 runs scored.

Nick Madrigal, 2B, San Francisco

Madrigal was another one who had a solid rookie campaign. He tied for the league lead with 13 triples. He added 25 doubles and 4 HR to go with 47 RBI, 44 runs and was successful in all 4 SB attempts. He led The Experience in batting at .282.

Drew Rasmussen, SP, Hillsborough

Solid if not spectacular seems to be the operative word for 2022 rookies. For a first-year player, making 32 starts is an accomplishment. Add in an 11-6 record and 3.49 ERA and you've got a good start. Rasmussen tossed 175 1/3 innings and logged 143 strikeouts with a 1.25 WHIP.

Chris Flexen, SP, Livingston

His 4.59 ERA and 1.42 WHIP won't win many accolades but the 28-year-old did register 14 wins against 7 losses in 186 1/3 innings.

Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Ridge

Bichette is Exhibit A for a player who's been around a few seasons but didn't quite qualify for DMBL. Yes, he's technically was a DMBL rookie in 2022 after compiling 212 and 128 MLB plate appearances in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

He hit a remarkable .293/.343/.463 in 161 games, splitting time between SS (96 games) and DH (65 games), with 30 HR and 86 RBI, to go with 89 R. He was 5th in the league with 196 hits, second among rookies (Frank Schwindel had 203), and 4th in ABs (669).

Bichette also tacked on 9 SB against just 1 CS.

My mistake: Bo Bichette qualified for DMBL with 128 plate appearances thanks to the COVID-shortened 2020 MLB season. He appeared in 80 games with Philly during the 2021 DMBL season, so he is NOT a DMBL rookie!