Five candidates for Rookie of the Year: LN

We are in a good moment to follow the best prospects. Of course, the most interesting thing is to think about what lies ahead.

Right now, it’s a great moment to imagine, not only because there’s an interesting group of prospects at the top of the rankings, but because we’re so close to seeing them in the Majors. It is imminent.

Sometimes when it comes to Rookie of the Year, playing time is just as important as talent. This year, it looks like several top prospects will start the season with their respective big teams.

Here, we take a look at the players to watch in the National League who could be in the running for Rookie of the Year.

1. Seiya Suzuki, Cubs: This case is about a combination of talent and opportunity. Suzuki, who has played nine seasons in Japan, will start with the Cubs. The boy can hit. The 27-year-old outfielder hit 38 homers with Hiroshima last year and went four straight seasons with at least a .300 batting average, .400 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage. In addition, he had more than 100 stolen bases in Japan.

2. (tie) Bryson Stott, Phillies: The 45th-best prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, he seems like the type of player who finds his opportunities. However, he is a born shortstop and the Phillies have Didi Gregorius. And the prelude? Stott hit .299/.390/.486 through three levels at Phillies farms in 2021 and is doing everything he can in camp to make things very difficult for the team. Either way, if he starts in the minors, it’s possible he could move up to the big leagues fast.

2. (tie) Oneil Cruz, Pirates: Welcome to one of the most intriguing players in professional baseball. The Dominican, the 26th-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is a lanky shortstop with a Gold Glove-caliber glove. He also has thunder in his bat, having slugged .594 through three levels last year, including a coffee that was taken with the big team. Cruz will start the year in the minors, but the Pirates know there’s something special about Oneil. It shouldn’t take long to see him back in the majors.

4. Hunter Green, Reds: This is a guy to get excited about. Few pitchers throw as much fire as Greene, the 22nd-best prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline. He has a 100 mph fastball rated with a grade 80 evaluation. He is talented enough to have defended the infield as an amateur player. He will start the year in the Reds’ rotation.

5. Joey Bart, Giants: A few months ago the Giants contemplated a great dilemma. Now, they hope to have the solution. Buster Posey’s retirement has speeded up the clock on baseball’s 31st-best prospect, who now hopes to start the season on the big-team roster. Bart, similar to Adley Rutschman, can shine at the plate and behind it. He had a brief experience in the Majors last year. He has hit wherever he has been and has received praise on every aspect of his defense.