Top 5 National League Rookie of the Year Candidates – 2011 NL Rookie of the Year Predictions and Contenders: Players like Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Braun, Buster Posey and Albert Pujols have set the bat pretty high when it comes to judging National League rookies over the years, but even though superstars newcomers don’t come around every year, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a number of worthy Rookie of the Year candidates in 2011. In fact, this year’s top rookies play a variety of positions and fill a number of roles for the respective teams.
1. Craig Kimbrel, Closer, Atlanta Pitchers
The flame throwing rookie is tied for the National League lead with 24 saves for an Atlanta team that currently owns the second best record in the NL. His 2.57 ERA and 1.12 WHIP are on par with the numbers owned by the other top closers in the league, and his .192 opponent batting average is second best among everyday closers. Not to mention the fact that he has piled up a ridiculous 67 strikeouts in 42 innings.
With Kimbrel in contention to lead the National League in saves for a team that is on track to make the playoffs, he should be in the driver seat to win Rookie of the Year honors. Finishing with the best K’s per nine innings ratio in all of baseball will certainly help his cause as well. Plain and simple, this guy has nasty stuff and is using it to hammer down games for the Braves.
2. Danny Espinosa, Shortstop, Washington Nationals
Espinosa has emerged as one of the main offensive cogs on a surprising Nationals team that has been at or near .500 most of the year. He leads all rookies with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, and his 0.796 OPS is second best. Espinosa has also chipped in with 40 runs scored and nine stolen bases. His .243 batting average isn’t great, but considering he has managed to be an effective run producer at a premier position, voters will overlook the mediocre average.
While Espinosa has established himself as the top offensive rookie thus far in 2011, he is going to have a tough time overtaking Craig Kimbrel when both play in the same division and the Braves are likely going to have the better record. Unless Espinosa hits 30-plus homers and drives in 100-plus RBIs, he is going to need Kimbrel and Atlanta to cool off a bit to win Rookie of the Year.
3. Dillon Gee, Starting Pitcher New York Mets
The Mets’ rookie hurler came storming out of the gates, running his record to 7-0 before finally suffering his first loss. He currently sits on an impressive 8-2 record with a very respectable 3.47 ERA. Gee doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he opposing hitters just can’t seem to figure him out. Despite just 58 strikeouts in 83 innings, batters are hitting just .222 against him on the year.
While it is becoming clear that the National League East is loaded with potential Rookie of the Year candidates, that doesn’t exactly help Gee’s cause. It is going to be tough for him to beat out two players in his own division when both Danny Espinosa and Craig Kimbrel play for teams with better records. A 15-win season with an ERA around 3.50 will keep Gee in the conversation, but it might not be enough for him to take top honors.
4. Freddie Freeman, First Baseman, Atlanta Braves
Entering the 2011 season, Freeman was the runaway favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year. Instead a slow start has made him a wildcard candidate at best as the season hits its halfway point. However, the smooth stroke the earned him the starting job as the Braves’ first baseman is starting to show itself. From May 13 to June 13, Freeman raised his batting average from .220 to .272. He is staying right around the .270 mark at this point, adding nine home runs and 34 RBIs.
Freeman is going to need a monster second half to jump up and win Rookie of the Year honors, but he is one player that would seem to have the talent to do so. He will likely have to settle for watching his teammate Craig Kimbrel take home the hardware, but Freeman could sway some voters if his bat helps the Braves clinch a playoff spot this fall.
5. Brandon Beachy, Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
He has made just 10 starts in 2011, but Beachy has put up some brilliant numbers. He has 3.04 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and .210 opponent batting average. Not to mention the fact he has 66 strikeouts in 56 innings. An injury has prevented him from pitching the full season, but if he had his same numbers and had made 15 starts, Beachy would be in the Cy Young conversation.
Beachy’s chance at winning Rookie of the Year honors were severely hurt when he spent several weeks on the disabled list. That being said, he has looked dominant since returning, delivering a pair of six-inning, one-run performances. By the way, he struck out a combined 20 batters in those two starts. Beachy will have to be lights out the rest of the way to overcome the time he missed, but he has the stuff capable of doing just that.
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