The National League Rookie of the Year race is tight, and St. Louis Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt has put himself right in the middle of it.
According to MLB.com’s Brian Murphy, Wetherholt is tied at the top of the latest poll with Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart. Murphy listed it this way: "1-T.
JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals (144 total vote points, 19 first-place votes). 1-T.
Sal Stewart, Reds (144 total vote points, 17 first-place votes)."
That puts two NL Central rookies in a dead heat, with New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean sitting third behind them.
Wetherholt may technically be tied with Stewart in the poll, but the Cardinals rookie has the edge in first-place votes. He also has a strong statistical case, especially when it comes to bWAR. Wetherholt has produced 4.2 bWAR across 420 at-bats, while Stewart has 1.7 bWAR in 424 at-bats.
The raw offensive numbers tilt the other way. Stewart has 108 hits, 23 doubles, 24 home runs, 86 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, 52 walks, 106 strikeouts, a .255 batting average, and an .814 OPS with a 121 OPS+.
Wetherholt’s line is more modest at the plate: 104 hits, 10 doubles, 16 home runs, 41 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, 52 walks, 76 strikeouts, a .248 batting average, and a .734 OPS with a 109 OPS+.
Still, Wetherholt’s value goes beyond the bat. As a middle infielder, he brings more defensive value than Stewart, who has spent plenty of time at first base and DH this season. That matters in a race this close.
For now, the Cardinals and Reds rookies are separated by almost nothing in the poll, and the award remains wide open. Wetherholt will need a strong finish if he wants to hold off Stewart - or even McLean - but either way, it has already been a standout first season for the Cardinals rookie.
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