MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL ROY candidates through July

2. Joc Pederson

Jul 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) prepares for an at bat against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Whether or not you rate Joc Pederson as the frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year largely depends on how greatly you value home runs. The Dodgers rookie has been flexing his power muscles all season, and if you need a reminder, look no further than his impressive runner-up performance at the Home Run Derby a few weeks ago.

His 21 long balls still lead all rookies, but Pederson’s pace slowed to a near stand-still in July. He only added one homer to his account during the month, a surprise considering how rapidly he was belting them out earlier. Power wasn’t the only department in which Pederson struggled last month, however. He hit just .169 in July, deflating his slash line to its current .223/.345/.454 level.

Despite his bad month, the 23-year-old Pederson is still one of the most exciting young talents in the game, and his 21 home runs and 43 RBI on the year keep him a strong factor in his race. If he can find his power stroke again in August and cut down on the strikeouts (his 128 Ks lead the NL), he should stand a very good chance of coming away with the award.

Next: Rookie #1