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3/19/16: MLB.com FastCast

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Watch Kris Bryant Prank College Baseball Team

Watch Kris Bryant Prank College Baseball Team

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MLB • 8 months ago

Top 5 NL Rookie of the Year Award Candidates After First Half of 2015 MLB Season

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Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Top 5 NL Rookie of the Year Candidates After First Half of 2015 MLB Season

Kris Bryant Cubs — The under-25 group that exists in MLB right now is the best crop of young talent we've ever seen -- specifically, the rookies who have joined major league rosters and have never missed a beat, especially in the National League. While compiling this list of the top NL Rookie of the Year candidates, the plethora of rookies who have smashed expectations made it hard to choose only five.

The under-25 group that exists in MLB right now is the best crop of young talent we've ever seen -- specifically, the rookies who have joined major league rosters and have never missed a beat, especially in the National League. While compiling this list of the top NL Rookie of the Year candidates, the plethora of rookies who have smashed expectations made it hard to choose only five.

5. 3B Maikel Franco, Philadelphia Phillies

Maikel Franco Phillies

5. 3B Maikel Franco, Philadelphia Phillies

Maikel Franco Phillies — In a season lacking many bright spots for the Philadelphia Phillies, Maikel Franco has been amazing since being called up. Franco is hitting .284 with a .339 OBP, 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in only 218 at-bats. If he were to stay on that pace for an entire season, he would put up roughly 30 home runs and 102 RBIs. With shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford set to be called up soon, the Phillies' left side of the infield looks set for years to come.

In a season lacking many bright spots for the Philadelphia Phillies, Maikel Franco has been amazing since being called up. Franco is hitting .284 with a .339 OBP, 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in only 218 at-bats. If he were to stay on that pace for an entire season, he would put up roughly 30 home runs and 102 RBIs. With shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford set to be called up soon, the Phillies' left side of the infield looks set for years to come.

4. 3B/OF Yasmany Tomas, Arizona Diamondbacks

Yasmany Tomas Diamondbacks

4. 3B/OF Yasmany Tomas, Arizona Diamondbacks

Yasmany Tomas Diamondbacks — Although the Arizona Diamondbacks foolishly sent Yasmany Tomas down to the minor leagues to begin the season, since his arrival, he's been tremendous. Tomas is batting .313 with a .351 OBP, five home runs and 35 RBIs in only 252 at-bats. His presence gives NL MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt some much-needed protection in the lineup.

Although the Arizona Diamondbacks foolishly sent Yasmany Tomas down to the minor leagues to begin the season, since his arrival, he's been tremendous. Tomas is batting .313 with a .351 OBP, five home runs and 35 RBIs in only 252 at-bats. His presence gives NL MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt some much-needed protection in the lineup.

3. RHP Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets

Noah Syndergaard Mets

3. RHP Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets

Noah Syndergaard Mets — "Thor" has been ridiculous in 2015. Although his record only stands at 4-4, Syndergaard has a solid 3.11 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 72/14 strikeout to walk ratio in only 66.2 innings of work. While his name has been floated on the trade market, the Mets would be crazy to trade him. Of all the team's young pitchers, I believe he has the most potential.

"Thor" has been ridiculous in 2015. Although his record only stands at 4-4, Syndergaard has a solid 3.11 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 72/14 strikeout to walk ratio in only 66.2 innings of work. While his name has been floated on the trade market, the Mets would be crazy to trade him. Of all the team's young pitchers, I believe he has the most potential.

2. OF Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers

Joc Pederson Dodgers

2. OF Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers

Joc Pederson Dodgers — Joc Pederson put on a power display at the 2015 Home Run Derby that won't be soon forgotten. It wasn't just that he was hitting a bunch of home runs, it was how far the balls were flying. The one thing that kept Pederson from topping this list is his extremely low batting average. He's only hitting .230, and although Pederson carries a .364 OBP with 20 home runs and 40 RBIs, that batting average will have to rise if he wants to win NL ROY.

Joc Pederson put on a power display at the 2015 Home Run Derby that won't be soon forgotten. It wasn't just that he was hitting a bunch of home runs, it was how far the balls were flying. The one thing that kept Pederson from topping this list is his extremely low batting average. He's only hitting .230, and although Pederson carries a .364 OBP with 20 home runs and 40 RBIs, that batting average will have to rise if he wants to win NL ROY.

1. 3B Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

Kris Bryant Cubs

1. 3B Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

Kris Bryant Cubs — Kris Bryant is the single biggest reason why the Chicago Cubs are on the fringe of a Wild Card spot. While Anthony Rizzo has had the best season offensively for the Cubs, Bryant has been the team's most valuable player. Since his promotion, Bryant is hitting .269 with a great .376 OBP, 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. He's on pace for over 100 RBIs and right around 25 home runs. If Bryant can keep the batting average and OBP up, he will win NL ROY.

Kris Bryant is the single biggest reason why the Chicago Cubs are on the fringe of a Wild Card spot. While Anthony Rizzo has had the best season offensively for the Cubs, Bryant has been the team's most valuable player. Since his promotion, Bryant is hitting .269 with a great .376 OBP, 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. He's on pace for over 100 RBIs and right around 25 home runs. If Bryant can keep the batting average and OBP up, he will win NL ROY.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.

Jason Fletcher is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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MLB• 23 mins ago

Predicting White Sox's 2016 Opening Day Lineup

Here's how the Chicago White Sox's lineup should look on April 4 against the Oakland Athletics.

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MLB• 27 mins ago

Predicting Mariners' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

The Seattle Mariners have had a busy offseason. With spring training about halfway through, the lineup is starting to clarify itself.

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MLB• 4 hours ago

Predicting The Blue Jays' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

Here is a spring training prediction of what the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup may look like on opening day of 2016.

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MLB• Videos• 10 hours ago

3/19/16: MLB.com FastCast

3/19/16 MLB.com FastCast: Pujols blasts off twice

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MLB• 21 hours ago

Predicting Yankees' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

Here's a peek at what the New York Yankees' lineup will look like on opening day of the 2016 MLB season.

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MLB• 1 day ago

Karns Staking Claim On Mariners’ Fifth Rotation Spot

Nathan Karns' and James Paxton’s most recent starts show why Karns is the man for the fifth spot in the Mariners' rotation.

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MLB• 1 day ago

5 Biggest Stories Out Of Tigers' Spring Training So Far

Here are the five biggest storylines to come out of the Detroit Tigers' spring training camp thus far.

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MLB• Videos• 1 day ago

3/18/16 MLB.com FastCast

3/18/16 MLB.com FastCast: Franco blasts seventh homer

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MLB• 2 days ago

Indians Make Another Cheap Attempt To Add Power By Signing Byrd

The Indians are yet again taking the discount route to add offensive power by signing Marlon Byrd to a minor league deal.

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MLB• Videos• 2 days ago

Watch Kris Bryant Prank College Baseball Team

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant should be pretty recognizable to most baseball fans, but he still managed to go undercover and prank the Mesa Community College baseball team.

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