MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL Rookie of the Year Candidates Through April

5. Kris Bryant – .304 BA, .458 OBP, 10 RBIs

Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

So far, Kris Bryant has lived up to his Spring Training hype. In 13 games with the Chicago Cubs, he’s hitting .304 with a .458 OBP, 10 RBIs and two stolen bases. The Cubs are second in the NL Central standings, and Bryant’s play has been key to their success. Bryant is third on the team in WAR (0.9) but fourth on the team in strikeouts. Bryant has struck-out 14 times in 13 games, and hasn’t been great defensively but what he’s doing at the plate is making up for it. He’s putting the Cubs in a position to finally be relevant again. After that rough first game, Bryant really became a solid hitter. With Adam Wainwright out for the year, and Shelby Miller in Atlanta, the St. Louis Cardinals aren’t a lock for the NL Central title this season. The Cubs have the talent, and if Bryant keeps swinging the bat the way he has been, it could be the Cubs division to lose.