10 MLB Rookie of the Year Candidates For 2015

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Mar 10, 2015; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training baseball game at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs. Kris Bryant. 1. player. 9. <strong>2014 Statistics:</strong> .325 AVG, .438 OBP, .661 SLG, 43 HR, 110 RBI, 118 R, 15 SB combined AAA/AA.. Third Base, Left Field

To no one’s surprise, the most likely candidate to win the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2015 is Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs, who has been tearing the cover off the baseball this spring. In 14 Cactus League games, the power-hitting third baseman (who has also dabbled with playing left field) hit .425/.477/1.175 with a Major League leading nine home runs as well as 15 RBI in 44 plate appearances.

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Last season, the former first round pick dominated Minor League pitching and hit a combined 43 home runs between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa in his first full professional season. For his efforts, Bryant was named Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America and USA Today.

Still, despite all his production (or more likely because of the long-term financial ramifications associated with putting him on the Opening Day roster), the Cubs officially announced the slugging 23-year old would begin the season in Triple-A.

Of course, the move is only temporary:

"“You know he’s going to be there [in the big leagues] eventually,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said about Bryant. “When you look at the entire picture of development, you’re still looking for a couple other areas to improve a little bit. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you wouldn’t want him in your lineup — there’s no question you want him in your lineup,” Maddon continued. “He’s also 23. I’m looking forward to working with this guy for the next 15 years. That’ll make me 76. If I’m the next Jack McKeon, I’ll be working with this guy when I’m 76 years of age.”"

Similar to Maddon’s experience with Evan Longoria, who won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2008 after making his Major League debut on April 12, Kris Bryant will most likely be in starting lineup at Wrigley Field sometime in April. In the mean time, he will likely get more experience in the outfield and feast on Minor League pitching for a few weeks.

But of course, a lot can happen in 162 games between March and October. Therefore, many other players will have an opportunity to make a name for themselves as rookies and take home the hardware at the end of the season.

Other potential 2015 MLB Rookie of the Year candidates include:

Archie Bradley, P, Arizona Diamondbacks
Alex Meyer, P, Minnesota Twins
Dalton Pompey, OF, Toronto Blue Jays
Aaron Sanchez, P, Toronto Blue Jays
Micah Johnson, 2B, Chicago White Sox
Maikel Franco, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies,
Joey Gallo, 3B, Texas Rangers
Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota Twins
Jon Gray, P, Colorado Rockies
Eddie Butler, P, Colorado Rockies
Henry Owens, P, Boston Red Sox
Jace Peterson, 2B, Atlanta Braves
Christian Bethancourt, C, Atlanta Braves

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