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Is the 2019 MLB rookie class the best in history?

By Manny Gómez

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 9: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts as he flies out against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on August 9, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 9: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts as he flies out against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on August 9, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

2019 MLB Rookie Class

NL Rookie of the Year Award Predictions

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The depth of rookies in the NL is a little less, but the race for the title is most certainly much tighter than it is in the AL. This class of rookies features the Home Derby champion in Pete Alonso, the son of former MLB star Fernando Tatis, and an ace pitcher who at times this season has already shown flashes of greatness.

As was the case for the AL, however, only one player can walk away with the award and for me, that player is Fernando Tatis Jr. The truth is, the race between Alonso (3.8 fWAR) and Tatis Jr. (3.7 fWAR) is much closer than you think. Compare their traditional and advanced stats and you’ll find that aside from one stat (AVG), they’re a mirror image of each other.

  • Fernando Tatis Jr. – .315 AVG / .378 OBP / .591 SLG / .398 wOBA / 149 wRC+
  • Pete Alonso – .258 AVG / .363 OBP / .592 SLG / .390 wOBA / 147 wRC+

Having played in 34 fewer games than Alonso, Tatis Jr. has managed to match the slugger in many regards, namely in fWAR. He gets on base at a better clip, can steal a bag if necessary, and just features a more versatile style of baseball.

What’s more, Tatis Jr. plays a tougher position defensively and he does it better than Alonso does.

So, looking at the whole picture, despite Alonso having more homers, the Home Run Derby title, and playing in the bright lights of New York, it is Fernando Tatis Jr. that deserves the award… at least for now.

Next. Astros: Justin Verlander's AL Cy Young case. dark

Other players considered:

  • Bryan Reynolds – .333 AVG / .405 OBP / .530 SLG / .394 woBA / 146 wRC+
  • Mike Soroka (P) – 10-2 / 2.32 ERA / 3.19 FIP / 1.08 WHIP
  • Chris Paddack (P) – 7-5 / 3.26 ERA / 4.10 FIP / 0.93 WHIP
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