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MLB Awards Watch: All-Star break edition

By Brad Rowland

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) high fives right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after defeating Baltimore Orioles 3-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) high fives right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after defeating Baltimore Orioles 3-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) hits a double in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) hits a double in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Rookie of the Year

  1. Joc Pederson, OF Los Angeles Dodgers – With 20 home runs in the first half, Pederson has basically led this race wire to wire. Some point to his .230 batting average as a point of contention, but a 15.8% walk rate helps Pederson to a very good .364 on-base percentage, and that number serves as a more accurate representation. In addition, the power (.487 slugging) is very real, and given that Pederson is already an above-average defender in the outfield, there is no denying his value to the Dodgers. He has real competition in Bryant, but Pederson holds the lead at the break.
  2. Kris Bryant, 3B Chicago Cubs – Bryant is very, very good. He was the biggest story of Spring Training, but even after a “late” call-up by the Cubs, the uber-prospect hasn’t disappointed. He actually leads all MLB rookies in fWAR (3.5) while boasting a .269/.376/.472 slash line and 12 home runs, and his defense has been quite good at the hot corner as well. This is perhaps the closest that this race has been to this point, and Bryant is a legitimate contender to the throne.
  3. Chris Heston, SP San Francisco Giants – For the balance of the season, I have doubted Chris Heston. For the balance of the season, I’ve been wrong. Heston boasts a very strong 3.39 ERA through 18 starts, and with a 3-to-1 ratio with strikeouts against walks, his performance is trending toward legitimate. Scouts worry about Heston’s lack of dominant stuff, but he continues to be consistent and effective as the best rookie pitcher in the NL.

Next: AL Rookie of the Year

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