![Mike Soroka has been Atlanta’s best starter this season. [Image Source: Flickr | Andy Grosh]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/8/11/660x290/b_502x220x82/mike-soroka-has-been-atlantas-best-starter-this-season-image-source-flickr-andy-grosh_2308481.jpg "Mike Soroka has been Atlanta’s best starter this season. [Image Source: Flickr | Andy Grosh]")
After looking at the American League Rookie of the Year race, let’s move on to the Senior Circuit.
Pete Alonso of the Mets has received the most headlines in this group especially after he won the Home Run Derby. According to Mets Merized, he is just one homer shy of tying Cody Bellinger’s NL rookie record and just three shy of the team’s single-season record held by Carlos Beltran and Todd Hundley.
There is a lot of depth in this year’s rookie class in the National League which made it hard to limit to just 10 players. Apologies go to Austin Riley, Nick Senzel, Mike Yastrzemski, Cal Quantrill, Zac Gallen, Jacob Webb, and even Aristides Aquino (what an incredible start to his career).
Here are the current NL Rookie of the Year rankings through games played on August 11. Remember this is not a prediction of where I believe they will finish in voting, but rather how I would place them if voting were to take place today.
Pete Alonso, 1B - Mets
With 38 dingers, Alonso will need 15 homers in the Mets last 44 games to surpass Aaron Judge’s single-season rookie home run record of 52. He sits just one behind Mike Trout and Christian Yelich for the MLB lead.
Fernando Tatis Jr., SS - Padres
Had he not missed over a month of action earlier in the season, Tatis Jr. could easily be atop this list. His impressive numbers even with the missed time include a .320 batting average, .983 OPS, 22 homers, and 16 stolen bases.
Mike Soroka, SP - Braves
Soroka has been the staff ace on a Braves team that holds a 6.5 game lead over the Nationals in the NL East. His 2.32 ERA is second-best in the majors, and he has limited hitters to just seven home runs in 128 innings.
Chris Paddack, SP - Padres
In half of his 20 starts this season, Paddack has given up one or zero earned runs. On the year, he has a 3.26 ERA, a stellar 0.93 WHIP, and over a strikeout an inning (115 in 110.1 innings).
Bryan Reynolds, OF - Pirates
Check the major league leaderboard, and you will see a surprise name second in batting average. That is where Reynolds sits with a .355 average to go along with 11 homers, 25 doubles, and 59 runs.
Alex Verdugo, OF - Dodgers
According to Dodgers Nation, Verdugo’s oblique strain which landed him on the IL will likely keep him out another two weeks. He has provided excellent outfield defense for a frontrunning Los Angeles team while also hitting .294 with 12 home runs and 22 doubles.
Christian Walker, 1B - Diamondbacks
Now 28 years old, Walker played parts of four seasons prior to this year but not enough to disqualify his rookie status. Now with an everyday role, he has slugged 20 homers and 21 doubles.
Keston Hiura, 2B - Brewers
The Brewers were in need of middle infield production on offense and Hiura has filled that role superbly. In 226 plate appearances, he is batting .299 with a .955 OPS and 14 home runs.
Kevin Newman, SS - Pirates
Newman has spent much of his time recently as a quality leadoff hitter for Pittsburgh. On the season, he owns a .302 batting average with six homers and 10 steals.
Victor Robles, CF - Nationals
Robles has left some to be desired at the plate, but he has provided excellent defense in center field for the Nationals. He hasn’t been terrible offensively though by any stretch and could finish with a 20/20 season (currently has 15 homers and 17 steals).
