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MLB Awards Watch: Chris Archer makes the leap

By Brad Rowland

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer (22) waves off the trainer after being hit by a line drive in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer (22) waves off the trainer after being hit by a line drive in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) is greeted by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (8) after scoring a run in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) is greeted by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly (8) after scoring a run in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Rookie of the Year

  1. Joc Pederson, OF Los Angeles Dodgers – Pederson has been the wire-to-wire leader, and he has provided nothing in the way of a reason to slip. The talented outfielder has blasted 19 home runs in just 70 games, and his 17.2% walk rate shows a batting eye beyond his years. Some old-school skeptics will point to a questionable .252 batting average, but his walk rate allows for a sparkling .393 on-base percentage, and when that is combined with a slugging percentage north of .550, all is well. He is the complete package, and the Dodgers boast an embarrassment of riches from a talent perspective.
  2. Kris Bryant, 3B Chicago Cubs – Bryant has lived up to his considerable billing. If Chicago’s leading man was in the American League, he would be a runaway winner at this point, but with Pederson around, he’ll settle for a strong second in late June. Bryant has “only” 10 home runs in 60 games, but the non-power attributes have been better than advertised, including a 13.1% walk rate and 5 stolen bases. Having a 140 wRC+ at the age of 23 just isn’t fair.
  3. Chris Heston, SP San Francisco Giants – The NL is loaded with secondary candidates, but Heston takes third place this week. It has long been assumed that the 27-year-old right-hander was something of a flash in the pan after his strong start, but Heston continues to impress. His “stuff” is fairly ordinary, but Heston boasts a better than 3-to-1 ratio between strikeouts and walks, and that backs up a solid 3.83 ERA with a 3.33 FIP. He’ll never be an “ace”, but Heston looks a lot like a mid-rotation guy, and that is a win for San Francisco.

Next: AL Rookie of the Year

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