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MLB Awards Watch: Can Joc Pederson run away with NL Rookie of the Year?

By Brad Rowland

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) hits a grand slam home run in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) hits a grand slam home run in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Rookie of the Year

  1. Joc Pederson, OF Los Angeles Dodgers – Pederson is the breakout star of the first month of the season. The Dodgers, who are already blessed with bottomless pockets and elite veteran talent, finally inserted their young outfielder into the lineup on a full-time basis in 2015, and he has responded with a dominant showing that includes a .421 on-base percentage (19.8% walk rate) and seven home runs in 25 games. There is already a buzz that Pederson could be the best position player on LA’s roster before the end of the season, and he is looking like a runaway favorite for this honor.
  2. Kris Bryant, 3B Chicago Cubs – Some have characterized Bryant’s MLB debut as a “disappointment”, but those people have missed the boat. Yes, baseball’s top prospect does not have a home run in 72 plate appearances, but Bryant has a .458 on-base percentage thanks to a 22.2% walk rate, and his plate discipline has been surprisingly good to this point. The power will come, simply because he has an 80-level tool in that area, and Bryant has handled the pressure quite well to this point.
  3. Anthony DeSclafani, SP Cincinnati Reds – DeSclafani is really the only rookie pitcher in either league that appears to have a chance at a Rookie of the Year honor, and the former Marlins farmhand has been quite effective over five starts. In those outings, the 25-year-old has pitched “only” 31 innings, but with a 2.03 ERA and a respectable peripherals, he looks the part as a very solid mid-rotation starter. That is extremely valuable.

Next: AL Rookie of the Year

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