After breaking down the AL Rookie of the Year race, I am back today to discuss the young stars of the future over in the senior circuit. Just like the American League, the National League crop of rookies is a strong group with several players that can seriously contend for this award. There is a good mix of players who made an impact in their short stint in 2020 and others who are set to make their big league debut as early as April. In 2020, Brewers stud reliever, Devin Williams, came out of nowhere to win this prestigious award. Will another pre-season underdog take the league by storm to capture the honor? Once again, we will be focusing on players who are outside the top 7 on Vegas Insider’s favorites to win ROY.
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (PIT): +400
RHP Sixto Sanchez (MIA): +600
RHP Ian Anderson (ATL): +800
OF Dylan Carlson (STL): +1000
LHP Nick Lodolo (CIN): +1200
OF Cristian Pache (ATL): +1200
C Joey Bart (SF), SS Oneil Cruz (PIT), RHP Spencer Howard (PHI), C Tyler Stephenson (CIN): All +1500
1. LHP Mackenzie Gore (San Diego Padres): +2000
Very rarely would you find the #1 pitching prospect in all of baseball with this low of Rookie of the Year odds. But with the Padres already having five legitimate starting pitchers in their rotation, the opportunity for Gore is not exactly clear to begin the season. More than any other season, teams will have to use a ton of pitchers to eat innings in 2021 due to pitchers not being stretched out after the 60 game season. There is a good chance teams will even go to a 6-man rotation at points for this specific reason. I am banking on Gore’s talent and potential with this pick, even though his role on the club may not be set in stone at the moment. After being selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 draft, Gore has done but impress scouts, as the southpaw has continued to fly up the prospect rankings. Gore is known for his athletic and long delivery from the left side with an explosion finish towards the plate. He’s got a fastball with some life that sits around 95-96 MPH, with a devastating slider and a plus curve and change to round out his repertoire. If Gore were on a worse team with less starting pitching depth than San Diego, he would be towards the top with Hayes and Sanchez. Grab him at 20/1, and let’s see what the kid can do.
2. 2B/SS Jazz Chisholm (Miami Marlins): +2500
The 23-year-old Chisholm finds himself in a spring training battle for the starting second base job with veterans Jon Berti and Isan Diaz. Marlin’s new general manager Kim Ng said that the spot will be determined based on performance in the spring games. So far, through the first week of exhibition games, Chisholm is making a statement about why he should get the nod on Opening Day. Chisholm opened Miami’s first game with a leadoff home run against the Astros. If Jazz can build off his hot start this spring, he will make the decision very easy for Manager Don Mattingly and the front office. Chisholm did appear in 21 games in 2020, but struggled, with a .242 OBP and 56 wRC+. 2020 was anything but smooth for the Marlins in terms of their roster due to the COVID outbreak, and I don’t think Chisholm was necessarily ready for the Major Leagues. But if Chisholm can show this spring that his hitting has improved, then he may not have to spend anytime down in the minors in 2021.
3. C William Contreras (Atlanta Braves): +2500
Similarly to Gore and Chislom, Contreras will have to earn playing time this season. Travis D’Arnaud is coming off a career year that has made him the clear starting catcher in Atlanta. But there is a realistic path for Contreras to make the team out of camp as the backup catcher. That will mean Contreras will play at least 1-2 per week, and with D’Arnaud’s history of injuries, he could very well play even more. Contreras has the type of talent where if he is given the job for a few weeks, he may never give it back. The young backstop has all the tools to become a great catcher in this league as his older brother Willson is.
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Statistics for the prospective rookie of the year comes via fangraphs.com
