The 2021 MLB season is loaded with the most rookie talent we’ve seen in a long time.
Many rookies in this year’s class had short MLB stints last year, giving fans a taste of what was to come, but very few people could have predicted such a massive amount of production from these young stars this season.
While it’s way too soon to come to any conclusions about the award races, there are a few rookies who have separated themselves as elite in the National League.
These three players should be in the conversation for the Rookie of the Year Award all season long.
3. Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is having the best offensive season out of any rookie in the NL and has certainly earned a spot on this list.
Chisholm has only played in 29 games so far, but the results have been extremely encouraging.
The 23-year-old is currently batting .286 with an OPS of .836.
He has a 1.1 WAR (which would put him on a 162-game pace for 6.14 WAR, a ridiculous number for a rookie) and has added some solid infield defense.
JAZZ CHISHOLM JR, EVERYONE! #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/Au2albrt8V
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) May 19, 2021
Chihsolm also is capable of stealing a bag when needed—he has nine stolen bases this season and has been caught just twice.
Chisholm has missed the past few games with a mild ankle sprain, but the injury wasn’t considered serious enough to place him on the injured list.
2. Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson has been nails since coming into MLB last season.
Over six starts in 2020, Anderson pitched to a 1.95 ERA and struck out 41 batters in 32.1 innings.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, he started four games in the postseason and posted a 0.96 ERA (three of those four starts were scoreless).
At 22, he was a major key in the Atlanta Braves’ run to the National League Championship Series.
It’s impossible to overstate how remarkable that is.
The righty didn’t exceed rookie limits during last year’s campaign, so he’s still in the mix for this year’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Needless to say, he has the potential to make this race a battle.
Over 10 starts this season, Anderson has a 3.27 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and 1.26 WHIP.
The Braves are 7-3 in his starts.
Anderson will make his next appearance Thursday night versus the Washington Nationals.
1. Trevor Rogers
Trevor Rogers is looking like perhaps the best arm Miami Marlins fans have had the joy of watching since Jose Fernandez.
Trevor Rogers, Filthy Back-to-Back Changeup Swords. ⚔️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/nA9Y8R7BD9
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 25, 2021
Candidly, Rogers was not good over limited appearances last year, and it seems like that didn’t sit well with him over the offseason.
The lefty has shown up this season in a huge way, and has a 1.87 ERA, 2.46 FIP, and 1.10 WHIP over 11 starts.
He has allowed one run or zero runs in seven of his outings this season, and going deep into games has been no problem for the young stud.
With a 2.1 WAR, it seems like the Rookie of the Year is Rogers’ award to lose already.
He’ll likely make his next start later this week against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
NEXT: Ranking Top 3 MLB National League MVP Candidates Through May
