ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - It's probably best to wait until at least the All-Star break to really take a look at who might win a regular season award. But this kid Dylan Carlson has just been too good not to talk about.
He's been bumped up to the No. 2 spot in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup sooner than most expected. He's already been one of the best hitters in St. Louis' lineup and now he's got protection with two of the best hitters in the game directly behind him.
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It's not a stretch to say that the former No. 1 prospect in the organization is going to be in contention for National League Rookie of the Year come September. If he wins, he'd be the first Cardinal to win it since Albert Pujols in 2001.
Here's how his numbers compare to other qualified NL rookies:
Games: Tied for 1st - 22
Runs: 1st - 14
Total bases: 1st - 38
Batting average: 3rd - .292
OPS: 2nd - .916
Home runs: Tied for 4th - 3
RBI: 3rd - 13
He's by far the best performing rookie in the NL among the top players who were expected to compete for the award this year. Here's how those players are doing:
Ke'Bryan Hayes - 3B, Pirates
Hasn't played since April 3 due to an injured left wrist. There's no time table yet for when he may return. He has only one hit this year, but it's a home run.
Ian Anderson - RHP, Braves
He's given up three homers in 22 innings of work thus far, but there's a lot of time to improve on his 1-0 record and 3.27 ERA. His 23 strikeouts are third among NL rookies.
We've also seen a few surprise rookies rise to top of some statistical categories after the first three weeks of the season.
Trevor Rogers - LHP, Marlins
The 23-year-old has started five games for Miami and has struck out at least six batters in all of them – for a total of 38 Ks in 28 innings. His. 1.29 ERA is third-best among qualifying rookies and behind only Jacob deGrom for the best ERA among all NL starting pitchers with at least three starts.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. - 2B, Marlins
Like Carlson, this rookie has also been bumped to the top of the lineup sooner than expected. Chisholm will now bat leadoff for the Marlins with four home runs (tied for first among rookies) and and OPS of .911 (third among rookies). He's only one base behind Carlson for second-most total bases (37) and his six stolen bases are the most of any qualifying rookie – Carlson is tied for second with one.
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