The MLB's National League Rookie of the Year race is surely a tight one as the "year of the call up" is in full swing. New York Mets' starter Noah Syndergaard is perhaps the leading candidate while the Chicago Cubs have a number of talented rookies he'll have to compete with.
HNGN has distinguished the top eight players most likely to win this year's NL Rookie of the Year award. We've provided a little blurb on each player as well as their statistics for the 2015 season. Who do you think will take home the honors after the season?
Noah Syndergaard, SP, New York Mets
Syndergaard has done nothing but exceed expectations. The 22-year-old was promoted to the MLB in May after Dillon Gee hit the disabled list and has bolstered the team's starting rotation. He was sent over in the R.A. Dickey trade and he looks to someday be a Cy Young award winner as well.
2015 stats: 7-6 with a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 17 starts (105 2/3 innings)
Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Pederson was the Pacific Coast League MVP last year in Triple-A and picked up right where he left off once 2015 began. Although he has slowed down big time since the end of June, he is still one of the top rookies in the MLB and earned All-Star honors in his first full season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2015 stats: In 115 games Pederson is batting .218/.355/.449 with 57 runs scored, 23 home runs and 47 RBIs
Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
Bryant was the talk of the offseason after the Chicago Cubs made it known he'd be starting the year in he minor leagues. However, injuries hit the MLB roster early on and Bryant got the call to become the team's starting third baseman. He's had his highs and lows this season as well, but he's been an integral aspect of the Cubs' push for the playoffs.
2015 stats: In 107 games Bryant is batting .254/.361/.447 with 61 runs scored, 16 home runs, 66 RBIs and 12 stolen bases
Addison Russell, SS, Chicago Cubs
The Cubs also promoted Russell in late April to take over at second base. Since then his defense has earned him the starting job at shortstop and the team looks to be moving on from Starlin Castro. Russell is just 21 years old and his future is looking more and more promising as each game goes on.
2015 stats: In 99 games Russell is batting .240/.303/.367 with 39 runs scored, 7 home runs and 31 RBIs
Jung-ho Kang, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
Kang was signed to a bargain four-year, $11 million deal out of Korea in the offseason after the Pittsburgh Pirates won the bidding for the 28-year-old infielder. Kang's role with the team has increased due to the injury to shortstop Jordy Mercer, but he was performing well before that. He's definitely one of the more underappreciated players this season.
2015 stats: In 99 games Kang is batting .285/.357/.439 with 43 runs scored, 9 home runs and 40 RBIs
Randal Grichuk, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Grichuk has put up excellent numbers as the St. Louis Cardinals have dealt with injuries to outfielders Matt Holliday and Jon Jay, but he was recently placed on the disabled list with an elbow strain. It depends how long he's out for, which may affect his chance at winning the ROY honors, but he's certainly been one of the top performers of this rookie class.
2015 stats: In 85 games Grichuk is batting .284/.333/.561 with 46 runs scored, 15 home runs and 44 RBIs
Chris Heston, SP, San Francisco Giants
Heston, depending on how you look at it, could be labeled as the savior of the San Francisco Giants' starting rotation this season. The 27-year-old tossed the first no-hitter of the season against the Mets back in June and has been the clear No. 2 behind Madison Bumgarner. He stepped up big when Matt Cain and Jake Peavy were out with injuries.
2015 stats: 11-7 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 24 starts (145 2/3 innings)
Kyle Schwarber, C/OF, Chicago Cubs
Just imagine if this guy got more time at the MLB level. He may have been a shoo-in for the ROY award if he got just as much experience under his belt as the previously listed rookies. Schwarber, 22, provided a huge spark for the Cubs offense when the team was struggling to score runs and he's given them an option in the outfield as well as behind the plate depending on what manager Joe Maddon has in mind on a given night. He was the team's first-round pick in 2014 and he's showing why.
2015 stats: in 34 games Schwarber is batting .313/.400/.580 with 28 runs scored, 8 home runs and 27 RBIs
