MLB

Top 5 Early Candidates to Win the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year

Top 5 Early Candidates to Win the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year

Chris Owings Arizona Diamondbacks
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When it comes to leading rookies early in the 2014 MLB season, the National League isn't looking that good right now. If it all ended right now it would be about the easiest Rookie of the Year vote on record in the N.L. Still there are a few candidates that are either showing their good stuff right now as well as a few that have potential but not much else to show just yet. Also you will notice more than one St. Louis Cardinals player in here.

5 – Billy Hamilton – Cincinnati Reds

Billy Hamilton Cincinnati Reds
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5 – Billy Hamilton – Cincinnati Reds

Billy Hamilton Cincinnati Reds
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Honestly if there was one more potentially decent rookie around right now, Hamilton would probably not even make the top five. The Reds' speedster is stumbling out of the gate with a .091 batting average and is actually 0 for 1 in steals. Look for that to improve but he will find the being the league's top rookie rather difficult without a huge build in performance.

4 – Kevin Siegrist – St. Louis Cardinals

Kevin Siegrist St. Louis Cardinals
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4 – Kevin Siegrist – St. Louis Cardinals

Kevin Siegrist St. Louis Cardinals
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Seigrist is Cardinals player number three in this list of top rookies. His ERA is actually quite high right now but that is all from one bad outing. All of his other quick performances have been nearly perfect. Even with good outings, a couple of successful rookies getting called up mid-season will likely shove he and Hamilton right out of the top five.

3 – Kolten Wong – St. Louis Cardinals

Kolten Wong St. Louis Cardinals
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3 – Kolten Wong – St. Louis Cardinals

Kolten Wong St. Louis Cardinals
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It won't be long before no one remembers Wong's base-running mistake from the postseason in 2013. He is already starting to have an impact on the Cardinals in a very normal way. Hitting .280 with a couple runs scored and RBI at this point is actually pretty good. Look for him to be a steady contributor for the majority of the season.

2 – Carlos Martinez – St. Louis Cardinals

Carlos Martinez St. Louis Cardinals
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2 – Carlos Martinez – St. Louis Cardinals

Carlos Martinez St. Louis Cardinals
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Here is where it gets nasty. That is, when Martinez is brought into the game for the Cardinals, it gets really nasty from the mound. This guy has the stuff to be the best set-up man or even one day closer in the game. He is absolutely a real threat for the award.

1 – Chris Owings – Arizona Diamondbacks

Chris Owings Arizona Diamondbacks
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1 – Chris Owings – Arizona Diamondbacks

Chris Owings Arizona Diamondbacks
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Because no rookie has really run away with the race for top rookie early on in the National League, Owings is pretty much the clear leader. His batting average of .333 and 4 runs scored puts him above the others at least for now.

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