1913 American League Rookies
Doc Ayers, SP, Age 21, Twins
Ayers should be an upgrade for Minnesota's pitching rotation. The team could use a few young and talented hurlers. However, they need additional upgrades in their lineup as well. Fortunately for Ayers, the Twins play some of the best defense in the league which will help his performance.
Johnny Bassler, C, Age 17, Indians
The teenage Bassler may have a battle on his hands as he attempts to earn the starting catcher's job in Cleveland.
Ted Easterly (.271, 7 HR, 33 RBI) is entrenched there, but he is coming off a down year. The two of them are of similar quality defensively and Easterly hits for a little more power, but Bassler is an on-base machine. It is quite possible that Easterly will move to right field so that both players can be in the lineup.
Rube Foster, SP, Age 24, Red Sox
Where does a young pitcher find room on the loaded Red Sox pitching staff? That is the big question for Foster and fellow rookie pitcher Dutch Leonard (below). There is certainly one open bullpen slot this season with
Casey Hageman (1-1, 4.73 ERA in 32.1 IP), a rookie last season, struggling at times. To keep a spot on this pitching staff you truly have to be excellent. The next question is, can Foster crack the rotation?
Dutch Leonard, SP, Age 20, Red Sox
With fellow rookie Foster (above) grabbing the one known opening on the major league pitching staff, Leonard is left fighting for a spot. There could be room but it will not be an easy decision for Boston since they have mostly veteran pitchers with good track records throughout the staff.
Wally Pipp, 1B, Age 19, Tigers
Del Gainer (.228, 14 HR, 69 RBI) has been a fine first baseman for Detroit but he had the misfortune of having a down year the season before the acquisition of Pipp. Known in MLB lore for losing his day job to Lou Gehrig, Pipp should not have that issue in MLHR since he plays for Detroit. However, Gainer may lose his job to Pipp, who is better all around, particularly on defense. And Detroit needs as much defensive help as they can get.
Ray Powell, CF, Age 24, Tigers
Powell strikes out a lot but is an otherwise solid offensive player. A centerfielder by trade, he will likely split time in left field with the once-dominant
Kid Nance (.234, 16 HR, 76 RBI), who appears on his way out at age 32. In addition to two early BoY Awards, Nance is also a 3-time Gold Glover. Powell has significant range though and should have little difficulty living up to the stellar defense that Tigers fans have grown accustomed to in left field.
Edd Roush, CF, Age 19, White Sox
As if the White Sox had not already assembled a powerful, young lineup, in steps Roush. He will hit for a high average with 20+ home run power. That is just the kind of guy who can bat 3rd ahead of sluggers
Jack Fournier (.314, 57 HR, 128 RBI) and
Ping Bodie (.275, 29 HR, 96 RBI). Roush will likely take over in right field for
Paul Meloan (.212, 14 HR, 42 RBI), who struggled last year.
Reb Russell, SP, Age 23, White Sox
The White Sox already had the top pitching staff in the AL last season. Now enters Russell and fellow rookie
Frank Miller (6-6-7 ratings). Russell will certainly be in the Chicago rotation, but the question is which pitcher's job will he take. Whomever it is, they will certainly be an upgrade to the bullpen because all of Chicago's starters found success last year and the bullpen can actually use a little help. I can't help but wonder if the White Sox will be capable of unseating the powerful duo of Boston and Oakland.
Wally Schang, C, Age 23, Athletics
Schang can play multiple positions, and the A's may try him out in right field where they have struggled to find a reliable offensive performer the past two seasons. If not, he will likely take over the bulk of the catching work even though
Jack Lapp (.220, 3 HR, 46 RBI) typically performs better at the plate than he did last year.
Bob Shawkey, SP, Age 22, Athletics
Shawkey's arrival comes just in time as veteran
Tom Walker (9-5, 4.34 ERA) had his worst season and actually lost his rotation spot last year. Normally a high performer, Walker may get another shot in the rotation with Shawkey waiting in the wings. But then again,
Herb Pennock (14-5, 3.12 ERA) took Walker's rotation spot last year as a rookie and may not give it up. Plus, Oakland also has
Stan Coveleski (8-3, 3.69 ERA in 102.1 IP), another rookie last year, who will get serious consideration for the rotation.
Billy Southworth, RF, Age 19, Indians
Even though there is talk of catcher Ted Easterly moving to right field, rookie Southworth may have something to say about that. Southworth should instantly move to the heart of Cleveland's lineup - a unit that is slowly improving with each passing season. It is also possible that Southworth will move to another outfield position and allow Easterly to join him in the outfield. After all, Cleveland's starting outfield last year was full of respectable players, but players who are more suited for platoon or bench roles.
Lefty Williams, SP, Age 19, Tigers
Finally, Detroit has gone out and added some more pitching! After three straight seasons of near .500 ball, the Tigers are hopeful of getting back in the pennant race. They have added some solid big league players this year which should help their chances. However, the Red Sox, A's and White Sox are not going away. Detroit still has to improve in a few areas - primarily pitching - to join that group at the top of the heap. For now, Williams will certainly earn a rotation spot and we hope the team will support him with more reliable arms soon.
