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AL Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Blue Jays' Stroman making some late noise

Nick Turchiaro / USA TODAY Sports

Every week until the end of the season, we'll take a look at the top first-year players in the American League and size up their candidacy for the Rookie of the Year.

AL Rookie of the Year Power Rankings

Rank Player Team Prev. Rank
1 Jose Abreu White Sox 1

Any power that Jose Abreu appears to possess has been left in the first half of the season, as the 27-year-old first baseman has not hit a home run since Aug. 22 and has just two in his last 38 games.

It's the first time the Cuban has had to deal with the rigorous schedule demands the Major Leagues require, and while the long ball has all but disappeared, his manager, Robin Ventura, continues to sing Abreu's praises, and deservedly so.

Abreu is hitting .362/.447/.471 since the beginning of August and still leads the majors in slugging with a .588 mark. Even despite his power struggle, the first baseman has done more than enough to remain as the favorite for the award.

Rank Player Team Prev. Rank
2 Matt Shoemaker Angels 2

Shoemaker notched another win over the last week to improve to 6-0 with a 1.32 ERA over his last seven starts.

Since the All-Star break, the 27-year-old has been one of the best arms in the majors - posting a 9-2 record and 1.95 ERA, while holding opposing batters to a .203/.240/.306 line.

Los Angeles continues to make a mockery of the AL West, as they hold a 10-game lead over the Oakland Athletics, and no one should be surprised if Shoemaker is named the Angels' starter for Game 1 of the ALDS.

Not bad for a guy who went undrafted.

Rank Player Team Prev. Rank
3 Dellin Betances Yankees 4

Betances leapfrogged teammate Masahiro Tanaka in the rankings as the right-handed strikeout machine continues to dazzle out of the the Yankees' bullpen.

The 26-year-old, who leads all relievers with 126 strikeouts, has allowed just two runs over his last 20 2/3 innings, while striking out 31 and walking just a single batter.

Rank Player Team Prev. Rank
4 Masahiro Tanaka Yankees 3

The Yankees are hopeful Tanaka will return to the rotation in time to make a handful of starts to end the season, which could improve his standing in the award race.

Tanaka could have also challenged for the AL Cy Young award had an elbow injury not kept him out since early July. In 18 start this season, the right-hander owns a 12-4 record to go with a 2.51 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings.

Rank Player Team Prev. Rank
5 Marcus Stroman Blue Jays N/R

Stroman appears to have put a string of rough starts in August behind him and returned to the form that saw the right-hander go 7-2 with a 3.03 ERA in his first 16 appearances.

While his full body of work isn't enough to warrant any serious consideration for the award, the Blue Jays do have what looks to be a young ace in the making for years to come.

The 23-year-old dazzled in his last start against the lowly Chicago Cubs, needing just 93 pitches for a complete game shutout where he allowed three hits, while notching eight strikeouts.

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