The MLB Rookie of the Year award is given out to the best performing first year player from each league at the end of every regular season. The National League features a few guys who have shown the potential of being future superstars. Here are the NL Rookie of the Year rankings for June.
Spencer Steer, 1B, Cincinnati Reds
Avg: .289
OBP: .356
SLG: .498
HR: 8
RBI: 28
2B: 14
K/BB: 46/20
WAR: 1.0
Coming into the season, Spencer Steer wasn’t a big known name in the 2023 rookie class. Flash forward to June 1st and Steer has taken the baseball world by storm. He currently ranks among the best rookies in multiple statistical categories. He ranks first among all NL rookies in hits. Steer also ranks in the top 5 in home runs, RBIs, doubles, and runs scored.
Spencer Steer isn’t the biggest name as of yet. He is currently ranked just outside of the top 5 in betting odds for the award. With the maturity and consistency that he’s shown, he could absolutely continue to improve throughout the year. Steer will continue to play better and better. His month of May, where he slashed .318/.372/.573, has shown what he can do in just his 2nd month of his rookie season. He is a dark horse for this award, but don’t sleep on him.
Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Avg: .285
OBP: .374
SLG: .520
HR: 9
RBI: 20
2B: 13
K/BB: 42/23
WAR: 1.8
Corbin Carroll hasn’t looked much like a rookie this season. At just 22 years old, Carroll has shown elite speed and athleticism, which has allowed him to steal nearly 20 bases and post an OPS near .900. If you were to look at Carroll’s statistics without knowing who they belonged to, it would be outrageous to think that they belonged to a rookie. His role on the team is much larger than that of a rookie.
And Corbin Carroll has taken on this responsibility and flourished in the role. He has much room to continue to grow and learn, which leaves him without a truly visible ceiling. That idea leaves the door open for some continued improvement and it should excite baseball fans everywhere. As of now, Carroll has been the best rookie the NL has to offer.
James Outman, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
When James Outman made his debut, he burst on the scene with an incredible start in March and April. He showed the ability to hit for power and contact as well as a knack for reaching base. His OPS through April was near 1.000, which is incredible for any MLB player standards, let alone a rookie.
But it would be a disservice to talk about Outman and not mention how much he has struggled as of late. He has been almost unplayable on the Dodgers, struggling for nearly the entire month. In fact, he’s hitting well under .200 for the month of May. The hopes of James Outman rely mainly on the potential that he flashed for just about a month earlier in the season. If he can come back to form, he can threaten for this award. If not, he may be destined for Triple-A by the end of the year.
Avg: .234
OBP: .323
SLG: .469
HR: 9
RBI: 29
2B: 8
K/BB: 70/19
WAR: 0.7
Prediction: Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin Caroll has entered the MLB and shown he belongs. He’s found himself in the middle of the Diamondbacks lineup as a rookie, where he has made a tremendous impact so far. The speedy outfielder has shown incredible potential as well as showing the maturity it takes to compete right now. He has the lead over Outman and De La Cruz and it appears to be a healthy lead as of now. With the head start he got over the competition, this is Carroll’s award to lose.
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