MLB Awards: Top 5 NL ROY candidates through June

Jun 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Yasmany Tomas (24) at bat during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Though the National League Rookie of the Year race may look the same at the top, the month of June brought a crop of intriguing new challengers into the fold. Several players, some who got their starts as late as mid-May, really came into their own last month, putting up impressive numbers to make themselves factors in the ROY picture.

Some rookies who were on this list last month slumped their way through June and are absent from the latest edition of the rankings. One such example is the Dodgers‘ Alex Guerrero; after hitting nine homers through May, his output trickled to just one in the following month, along with a .220 batting average.

There is still a variety of compelling rookies outside of the top-5, however. Though he hasn’t exactly been the slugger that scouts described, Arizona‘s Yasmany Tomas is hitting .319. In the wake of his no-hitter, Chris Heston is continuing to quietly assemble a solid season in the Giants rotation (3.78 ERA, 1.23 WHIP).

The story can still change plenty of times in the second half, but at the close of June, these are the five names to watch in the NL ROY fray.

Honorable mentions: Yasmany Tomas (ARI), Chris Heston (SFG)

Next: Rookie #5

5. Randal Grichuk – .276 BA, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 1.9 WAR

Jun 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Randal Grichuk (15) runs the bases against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Cardinals won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Despite playing in only 47 games so far, Randal Grichuk has been giving the St. Louis Cardinals a very promising glimpse at what he can do long-term. After appearing in a handful of games across April and May, the 23-year-old outfielder put together a strong June to give his ROY stock a major jolt.

Grichuk hit five home runs and picked up 12 RBI on the month, raising his season totals to seven homers and 21 RBI. He is currently slashing .276/.311/.559 and his 1.9 WAR ranks fourth among all MLB rookies.

Some uninspiring months from other rookies opened the door for Grichuk to get on this list, and if he continues to play like he did in June he should remain a legitimate presence in the NL ROY conversation.

Next: Rookie #4

4. Matt Duffy – .300 BA, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 2.4 WAR

Jun 28, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Duffy (5) chases a ball down during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Pablo who? The San Francisco Giants fretted this past winter over how to replace Kung Fu Panda at the hot corner after he bolted for Boston. Casey McGehee, 2014’s NL Comeback Player of the Year, failed to provide the answer, managing a weak .213/.275/.299 slash line with two homers and 11 RBI before being designated for assignment this week.

Enter 24-year-old Matt Duffy. The youngster has taken over the third base role in impressive fashion, slashing .300/.344/.485 with eight home runs and 37 RBI in 66 games. His numbers in June were particularly strong, putting him firmly on the map in the NL ROY battle. He hit .313 on the month while belting five of his homers and driving in 15 runs.

He may not end up with the award in light of some of the other names on this list, but Duffy should absolutely be recognized for the fine job he is doing in his first full big league campaign.

Next: Rookie #3

3. Maikel Franco – .305 BA, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 0.9 WAR

Jun 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) rounds third base before scoring a run in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Cardinals, 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

In any other year Maikel Franco would likely be the frontrunner for this award. As the Philadelphia Phillies once again sink into the cellar prior to the All-Star break, their 22-year-old former top prospect is doing his best vintage Ryan Howard impression and providing one of the few reasons to get excited about going to Citizens Bank Park.

During his minor league days, scouts raved about Franco’s raw power. So far his slugging ability has been just as good as advertised, if not better, on the major league stage. Since making his 2015 debut on May 15, the third baseman has swatted ten home runs, eight of them coming in the month of June. He enjoyed a torrid month in general, posting a .352/.391/.648 slash line.

Overall, Franco is hitting a very robust .305/.349/.557 on the season and has also added 34 RBI to his name since his promotion. Conventional wisdom said he was going to hit homers at this level, but Franco has looked all-around solid at the plate. He isn’t walking much (5.5% BB rate), but he is limiting his strikeouts (15.1% K).

On a roster in need of an overhaul, the Phillies will hope Franco continues to look like a piece they can build around.

Next: Rookie #2

2. Kris Bryant – .274 BA, 10 HR, 43 RBI, 2.2 WAR

Jun 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits a two run home run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Though the home runs aren’t quite piling up the way some imagined they would during his monster Spring Training, Kris Bryant continues to piece together a great rookie season with the Chicago Cubs. He sports a .274/.378/.460 slash line with ten homers and 43 RBI after 68 games.

His production in June was actually a bit slower than the pace he had been setting earlier. He hit .267 for the month with three home runs and 11 RBI, after adding seven homers and 22 RBI to his ledger in May. Bryant is still in good shape, but he will likely try to pick things up heading into the All-Star break.

The strikeouts are frequent (30.1% K rate), but the 23-year-old is also drawing his share of walks (13.4% BB). It should be interesting to see whether Maikel Franco becomes more of a threat to Bryant’s position in the ROY race, but for now he remains just below the top spot of the list.

Next: Rookie #1