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MLB Awards Watch: Bryce Harper is the NL MVP… right?

By Brad Rowland

Washington Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) comes up to bat in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) comes up to bat in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Rookie of the Year

  1. Kris Bryant, 3B Chicago Cubs – There has been some buzz about Bryant losing his stranglehold on this award, but I don’t see it. He is the runaway leader among all MLB rookies at the plate, with 21 home runs and a 133 wRC+ (.265/.367/.480 slash line) this season, and Bryant’s track record is longer than some of the other contenders. Throw in a positive impact with the glove, and his lead remains comfortable in my view.
  2. Jung-Ho Kang, IF Pittsburgh Pirates – Kang has been really impressive in relative obscurity. He trails only Bryant and Cardinals OF Randal Grichuk among NL rookies in wRC+ (131), and Kang falls behind only Bryant in on-base percentage (.362) and slugging (.455). His defensive versatility has been vital for the Pirates as well, and even without lights-out power numbers (12 HR), this is a nice ROY profile.
  3. Matt Duffy, 3B San Francisco Giants – All three rookies have their fingers on the pulse of a pennant race, and Duffy’s defense has been huge for the Giants. That isn’t his whole impact, though, as the young third baseman has 10 home runs, eight stolen bases and a sparkling .302 batting average on his list of accomplishments. Duffy won’t win it, but he shouldn’t be forgotten.

Next: AL Rookie of the Year

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