Okay so the rookie class hasn’t quite lived up to the hype other than a select few. So far in the AL the best rookie, 23-year-old Shohei Ohtani, has been amazing but because he’s both batting and pitching, the Angels have paced out his play and thus he doesn’t quality for any award categories yet. In the NL, Ronald Acuna had been lights out until he stepped on the first base bag wrong and busted his knee. He may be out a month. Right now, these guys are it who qualify.
3rdbaseman Miguel Andujar, NY Yankees: Stat line: .290/.310/.494 17 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 18 RBIs with a .4 WAR. Andujar is the full time third baseman with Brandon Drury still in the minors and Neil Walker playing utility.
3rdbaseman Brian Anderson, Miami Marlins: Stat line: .283/.361/.385 13 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs and 24 RBIs with a 1.1 WAR. With very little competition for at bats, Brian Anderson has gotten a good look at the major league level. He’s split his games between third and right field. You could make a case that he’s been the best rookie in the NL so far. He certainly doesn’t have the hype of the other candidates and hardly anyone has seen him play since he plays on such a bad squad.
Starter Caleb Smith, Miami Marlins: Stat line: 11 starts, 4-5 record with a 3.51 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a .7 WAR. Smith’s stat line has gotten better but he really is just saving this spot for Ohtani once he qualifies.
Right now, Ohtani is about 50 abs and 10 innings pitched from qualification, Torres needs 40 more AB’s and Acuna will be out for a month so who knows what it will take for him to qualify then. Tampa Bay rookie Joey Wendle will make the list next week and NO ONE is talking about how well he’s fared.
