MLB: Most Important Rookies for NL Playoff Teams
With MLB teams battling for a playoff spot, many have relied on unlikely heroes to help carry them. Who are the most important rookies on playoff teams?
October 2nd is very far away. In fact, it’s just 43 days away. This date represents the end of the MLB regular season, and the last day to try and battle for a playoff spot. We’ve seen many teams take their season to game 162 in the most exciting fashion possible. And this year, it looks like it may be the same as years past.
With injuries to stars or lack of production by starters, many teams across the MLB have leaned heavily on rookies. These important rookies may have been up all season, or could have just been called up.
A rookie can be vital in many aspects to a clubhouse. They can provide a spark, a youth movement, or just serve as a desperately needed depth player. Regardless, it can be a huge advantage to have a rookie call-up at this point in the season, especially if they’re successful.
Major League players have most likely never seen these rookies play, and have very limited tape on them. This means a rookie pitcher can deceive hitters more easily as they work through the lineups for the first time, and hitters are still able to hide their weaknesses at the plate.
We’ve seen a lot of teams relying heavily on their farm system this season, and there have been a huge number of rookie stars. We’ll take a look at these stars and determine who the most important rookies are in the National League.
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Corey Seager – Dodgers
This seems like an obvious choice to be on this list. Seager has been stellar all season and will most likely be the front-runner to win the National League Rookie of the Year.
The Dodger shortstop is putting up eye popping numbers for a 22-year-old. He’s batting .314 with 21 home runs and 80 RBI’s. He has an Off (fangraphs) of 27 and a WAR of 6.2. He’s been more than impressive in clutch situations.
Corey Seager hitting streaks this season: 8, 11, 19, 9 and 12 games.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 21, 2016
With men in scoring position he’s batting .341 with four home runs and 37 RBI’s. On top of that he’s only grounded into two double plays in those 85 at-bats and has even been intentionally walked four times.
The Dodgers don’t have a top offense; in fact, they aren’t even in the top half of the offenses around the MLB. Seager has provided a much needed spark in the lineup. He’s batted almost everywhere in the lineup, but has excelled as a hitter in the two hole. Providing a presence at the top of the lineup has been one of his strongest suits.
Los Angeles has finally taken San Francisco in the NL West standings, and are hoping to stay out of the Wildcard game. Seager has been one of the most valuable players on the team this year and one of the most important rookies in the MLB. Without him the offense would take a major hit with Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor struggling as backups.
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Aledmys Diaz – Cardinals
Diaz joined Seager as the two National League Rookie All-Stars, and for good reason. Although he hasn’t put up numbers quite as good as Seager, he’s had a phenomenal rookie season. He’s batting .312 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI’s.
He’s currently injured, but his return to the Cardinals is crucial for October. His backup has batted just .233 this season.
Aledmys Diaz will be reevaluated in two weeks to see if he's cleared for baseball activities. No chance he returns in August. #stlcards
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) August 15, 2016
Diaz has flown under the radar for most of the season, and even after his All-Star selection, fans are asking who Aledmys Diaz is? The Cardinals signed him as a free agent in 2014, and the small investment has paid off. Diaz is 26, which is on the older side for a rookie, but that hasn’t prevented him from putting up great numbers.
He’s been major contributor to the fifth best offense in the league after Jhonny Peralta was sidelined with an injury. Diaz came in and filled the gap much better than expected. His WAR is at 2.4 and his Off is a stellar 15. Diaz has been a clutch hitter with men on base, driving in 49 RBI’s.
The Cardinals will most likely be playing in the Wildcard game, and after that they’ll need to keep up with the Cubs offensively. The youth in the NL has been the best it’s been in years, and Diaz is apart of one of the best young cores in the NL.
Next: The Hype was real
Kenta Maeda – Dodgers
Surprise, surprise…the Dodgers make it again on this list. Kenta Maeda has been one of the best offseason signings, and the Dodgers have been delighted with his performance.
The Japanese pitcher is 12-7 with a 3.29 ERA and has struck out 138 batters. He has a WHIP of 1.07 and has held hitters to a .220 batting average. He’s striking out 9.09 hitters per nine innings and his balls in play opponent batting average is a stellar .269. His WAR is a 2.5 and as a rookie, he’s faired extremely well in high pressure situations.
Maeda has had some spectacular outings this year. When he is on, he is on. Maeda has yet to be horribly torched, and his good outings definitely outweigh his bad ones. He’s been the best Dodger starter behind Clayton Kershaw, but has taken over as the ace due to Kershaw’s injury.
The Dodgers gave Maeda a low risk, high reward contract and it has paid off perfectly this season. The base salary was $24 million over eight years with incentives. But it today’s league, that is a bargain. Maeda has been a top arm in the league, and if he stays healthy he could be a star.
Next: Most Important Rookies in the AL
Good pitching will be key for the Dodgers, and having this important rookie will provide a much needed arm if Kershaw can’t come back by the end of the season.