National League Rookie of the Year
1. Corbin Carroll
2023 stats: 86 G, .289/.366/.549 (144 wRC+), -1 DRS, 2 OAA, 3.8 fWAR
There are many ways to describe Corbin Carroll’s rookie season, but the one I thought of first was terrific. Like Henderson, Carroll had a successful cameo in the majors last season, prompting preseason Rookie of the Year hype.
While people around the game thought Carroll would be good, I’m not sure many people thought he’d be this good. Carroll’s 144 wRC+ is tied for sixth among qualified hitters in the NL, while his MLB-leading 8.4 BsR propels his offensive value to an elite level. Carroll has also been solid defensively this season, with his weak arm the only thing really holding him back from being elite in the field too.
Carroll shouldn’t only be a lock to win Rookie of the Year, he should be in MVP conversations.
2. Matt McLain
2023 stats: 50 G, .300/.366/.512 (132 wRC+), 3 DRS, 3 OAA, -0.5 BsR, 2.1 fWAR
While everyone around the world is loving a different rookie in Cincinnati who I’ll be diving into shortly, Matt McLain has quietly been just as good. After being drafted in the first round of the 2021 draft, McLain shot right through the minor leagues and was called up by the Reds in May.
Among NL rookies with at least 200 PAs, McLain’s 131 wRC+ only trails Carroll’s 144 wRC+. In addition to his outstanding offense, McLain has been superb defensively with his OAA ranking in the 85 percentile.
Although he’s not their most popular rookie, McLain has proved he’ll be one of the Reds’ most important players as they make a playoff push this season and the future seasons to come.
3. Elly De La Cruz
2023 stats: 30 G, .325/.363/.524 (131 wRC+), -3 DRS, 1 OAA, 1.3 BsR, 1.2 fWAR
Despite only playing in 30 MLB games, no player in baseball is being talked about as much as Elly De La Cruz — and there’s a good reason for that. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound unicorn hits the ball as hard as anyone, throws it as fast as anyone and is the self-proclaimed fastest man in the world … and his 100th percentile sprint speed backs him up in terms of the baseball world.
Day in and day out, De La Cruz is a ticking time bomb to do something absolutely insane, which is why baseball fans can get enough of the 21-year-old rookie. With all of that being said, it’s only been 30 games so I can’t jump the gun on him yet, but if De La Cruz continues to produce like he’s shown he’s capable of, he’ll be in contention for best player in baseball in the near future.
Honorable mentions: Patrick Bailey, Francisco Alvarez