MLB: Three under the radar Rookie of the Year candidates

Orioles rookie Ryan Mountcastle is making the most of his MLB debut.

Baltimore Orioles rookie outfielder/first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was a late call-up this season, but his instant impact in the big leagues has been eye-opening.

Mountcastle has appeared in 22 games, slashing .364/.425/.610 with five home runs, four doubles, and 18 RBI. His 178 wRC+ currently leads all American League rookies and his 0.9 Wins Above Replacement ranks fourth behind Lewis, Robert, and Oakland A’s rookie catcher Sean Murphy.

Mountcastle has half the fWAR and home runs as Robert and Lewis in half the number of games. If he would have had a full season in the major leagues, this Rookie of the Year race would have been pretty epic.

While Mountcastle’s bat has been as advertised so far, his plate discipline needs to be noted. Entering the majors with a career minor league walk rate of around 5%, Mountcastle is answering the demands to walk more, working a free pass at a 9.2% clip, while keeping his strikeout rate at a respectable 20%.

If Ryan Mountcastle can continue to get on base at a high rate and play decent defense, either in left field or at first base, the Orioles are going to have a stud in the middle of their lineup for years to come.

Should he finish among the top three in MLB Rookie of the Year voting, he will be the third Orioles player to do so in the last four seasons, joining John Means in 2019 (2nd) and Trey Mancini in 2017 (3rd).