National League ROTY Race Will Be Fun Battle; Konnor Griffin Has Competition
Rookie talent has been on full display in the National League through the first six weeks of the season, particularly in the Central division.
For those who think one player will run away to to win the 2026 Rookie of the Year award, think again.
There is much to still be played out this season, and some guys will inevitably hit the infamous “rookie wall.” But there are currently five players (at least) who look poised to be in the running for the hardware, including the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin.
Moisés Ballesteros (Cubs)
- Stats: .280/.343/.527, 26 for 93, five doubles, six home runs, 19 RBI, 14 runs, 34 games
The Cubs are rolling and Moisés Ballesteros has been a big reason why. The 26-year-old, who entered the season as MLB Pipeline’s 55th-best prospect, is off to a sizzling start despite a recent rough patch.
Ballesteros leads National League rookies in slugging percentage and OPS. He’s second in batting average and third in home runs and RBI.
Konnor Griffin (Pirates)
- Stats: .257/.320/.389, 29 for 113, five doubles, two triples, two home runs, 16 RBI, eight steals, 13 runs, 32 games
After a slow start to his career, Konnor Griffin has been rolling of late. Over his last 13 games, the 20-year-old is slashing .362/.423/.596 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, eight RBI and four stolen bases.
Griffin leads all rookies with eight stolen bases and only three NL rookies have more hits than he does. He’s trending in the right direction. Although he got a bit of a delayed start, he’s trending in the right direction.
RHP Nolan McLean (Mets)
- Stats: 1-2, 2.97 ERA, 39.1 innings, 26 hits, 15 runs (13 earned), 11 walks, 51 strikeouts, seven appearances/seven starts
We interrupt the NL Central rookies to bring you a contender from the East. Nolan McLean has not only emerged as one of the top rookies, but has so far been one of the better pitchers in baseball.
The 24-year-old leads the NL — not just rookies — with a 2.12 FIP, indicating what he’s done so far is sustainable. He leads all rookie pitchers in strikeouts, batting average against (.184) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.64). McLean also leads all NL rookies in ERA and WHIP (0.94).
Sal Stewart (Reds)
- Stats: .245/.333/.497, 35 for 143, six doubles, 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 22 runs, seven steals, 38 games
No rookie got off to a better start than Sal Stewart, who slugged nine home runs through his first 27 games of the season. Despite falling into a slump the last week or two, the 22-year-old is still at or near the top in several categories.
Stewart leads MLB rookies in RBI. Among NL rookies, he’s first in home runs, tied for first with 20 walks, and ranks second in hits, runs and trails only Griffin with seven stolen bases.
JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals)
- Stats: .236/.355/.421, 33 for 140, five doubles, seven home runs, 18 RBI, 28 runs, four steals, 37 games.
Wetherholt, who graduated from Mars Area High School in Pittsburgh, has been very impressive on both sides of the ball and has been a big reason for the Cardinals’ surprising start.
The 23-year-old leads MLB rookies in runs and leads NL rookies in on-base percentage. He’s tied with Stewart in walks and is second in home runs. Wetherholt also owns a 1.8 bWAR, whereas nobody else listed currently has a bWAR of 1.0 or higher.