Leading Candidates for NL Rookie of the Year
One of the most exciting things every season is watching for the next great young player to step up and be recognized. Managers pray for them since they know that at least one position can be locked down as long as the team holds onto the player. Young fans love it because it continues to fuel the dream that they could be next if they work hard enough. Writers love it because it gives them something else to pontificate about.
The National League race for Rookie of the Year should be an interesting one with a number of impressive performances by first year players.
Jason Heyward
The young outfielder for the Atlanta Braves burst onto the baseball scene at the start of the season with 10 home runs and 38 RBIs in the first two months of the season. Since then he has cooled off somewhat and has had some trouble staying healthy. What could springboard his name back to the front of the line is a resurgence during the final 40 games of the season, which the Braves will likely need to stay on top of the NL East.
Jaime Garcia
For the St. Louis Cardinals he is the third best pitcher on the staff, but Garcia has proven that he could be the ace for many other staffs this season. For the season he has an ERA of only 2.58 through 23 starts, both best in the league for rookie starters. He has slipped some in the second half of the season, but if he were to regain his form in the last couple of months of the season he could become the first Cardinal to win since Albert Pujols back in 2001.
Buster Posey
Since being called up to the majors on 29 May, Buster Posey has been a force to be reckoned with behind the plate. His offence was enough for the San Francisco Giants to call him up, but then his play on the field quickly convinced them that they could trade away their starting catcher, Bengie Molina, and insert Posey. He has not disappointed hitting .344 with nine home runs and 46 RBIs. Not starting the season with the team could hurt his candidacy, but providing offence at a traditionally weak position will keep him in the hunt.
Stephen Strasburg
The young pitcher for the Washington Nationals will have his name mentioned in the race due to the intense attention that his call up got from the media. It does not hurt that he has performed like a player that should have been called up sooner with 48 strikeouts in the month of June. His recent struggles and injury issues may keep him from winning it in the end, but if he can regain his early form over the next few starts he could become a viable candidate once again.
Chris Johnson
In a season that has seen the two best players on the team depart for greener pastures, the emergence of Chris Johnson at third base has been a bright spot for the Houston Astros. Prior to the All-Star break he was in danger of losing his job, but has since turned up the production and is now hitting .338 on the season with six home runs and 35 RBIs. However, much like Posey and Strasburg, his candidacy may be hurt since he has not played the whole season with the team.
Other players that are deserving of consideration include Starlin Castro, short stop for the Chicago Cubs; Tyler Colvin, outfielder for the Chicago Cubs; Mike Leake, starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds; and John Axford, closer for the Milwaukee Brewers.
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