MLB

5 Best 2015 NL ROY Candidates Going Into Spring Training

Fresh Videos

By

5 Best 2015 NL ROY Candidates Going Into Spring Training

Bryce Haper 2014 NL ROY
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The NL Rookie of the Year award has produced recent All-Star players like Bryce Harper, Craig Kimbrel and Buster Posey. The upcoming 2015 candidates features a cast filled with potential middle-of-the-lineup bats and a future top-of-the-rotation pitcher. Here are the top five NL Rookie of the Year candidates going into Spring Training.

5. Noah Syndergaard: New York Mets

Noah Syndergaard 2015 NL Rookie
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

5. Noah Syndergaard: New York Mets

Noah Syndergaard 2015 NL Rookie
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Syndergaard was originally selected in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was traded during the 2012 offseason to the New York Mets as part of a package deal that sent R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays. His pitch selection includes a four-seam fastball which has been clocked as high as 96 mph, a curveball, a two-seamer and a changeup. He has a career 3.25 ERA during his minor league tenure.

4. Yasmany Tomas: Arizona Diamondbacks

Yasmany Tomas 2015 NL Rookie
Getty Images

4. Yasmany Tomas: Arizona Diamondbacks

Yasmany Tomas 2015 NL Rookie
Getty Images

Defecting Cuban baseball players have had much success in MLB recently, so it was only a matter of time before Tomas joined an MLB team. The Arizona Diamondbacks showed their commitment when they signed him to a six-year $68.5 million contract. Tomas' greatest asset is his raw power. Scouts give him a 70 in terms of power on a 20-80 grading scale. Tomas biggest weakness is his defense and strikeout rate.

3. Jorge Soler: Chicago Cubs

Jorge Soler 2015 NL Rookie
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jorge Soler: Chicago Cubs

Jorge Soler 2015 NL Rookie
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Soler is a product of the Cuban national baseball team in 2010. He defected from Cuba in 2011 and was shortly signed to a nine-year, $30 million contract by the Chicago Cubs. He profiles as a power hitting corner outfielder who will likely occupy right field. Soler had a cup of coffee last season with the Cubs, and he hit a home run in his first MLB at-bat.

2. Joc Pederson: Los Angeles Dodgers

Joc Pederson 2015 Rookie
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2. Joc Pederson: Los Angeles Dodgers

Joc Pederson 2015 Rookie
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly called Pederson the best CF in the organization during the 2014 season. The Dodgers' overcrowded outfield kept Pederson in Triple-A all season, where he was named the 2014 PCL MVP. Scouts say Pederson shows true five-tool potential.

1. Kris Bryant: Chicago Cubs

Kris Bryant 2015 NL Rookie
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Kris Bryant: Chicago Cubs

Kris Bryant 2015 NL Rookie
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 23-year-old third baseman has raw power and is my top pick to win the 2015 NL ROY honors right now. Bryant was the second overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft out of the University of San Diego. He possesses Giancarlo Stanton-like power, which was displayed during the 2014 season between Double-A and Triple-A when he smashed 43 HRs. Look for Bryant to provide protection for Anthony Rizzo hitting clean-up in 2015.

Adam Holguin is an MLB writer for Rantsports. You can like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter. 

Share Tweet
Trending Now on