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NL Rookie of the Year: The Top 5 Contenders

By Bobby Mueller

Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman
Aug 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman /

CF Trea Turner, Washington Nationals

218 PA, .344/.362/.541, 36 R, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 21 SB

Turner’s limited playing time may cost him some votes, but he’s currently leading off for the Nationals and has another 20-plus games to play, so he should get over 300 plate appearances before the regular season is over. In his first 50 big league games, Turner is slugging over .500 and has 21 steals, with just three times caught stealing. His speed is amazing, as he shows on this easy triple on a hit to right-center.

That was one of six triples Turner has hit this year. Only 10 players have more triples than Turner in 2016 and they all have at least 100 more plate appearances. The other thing to note about Turner is that his natural position is shortstop, which was the spot he played most of the year in Triple-A Syracuse. He’s played 24 games in centerfield for the Nationals after playing just six in centerfield in the minor leagues. Despite his limited experience at the position, Turner is rated an above-average fielder by Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference WAR.

Turner was a 1st round pick in the 2014 June Draft. Baseball America had him ranked #65 on their Top 100 prior to the 2015 season, then moved him up to #9 before this year. He has more than lived up to expectations so far.

Next: The Cardinals' Replacement Sparkplug

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