Projected Rookie Of The Year Winners For The 2021 MLB Season
With last year’s rookies given a shortened task to prove their worthiness, 2021 will be back with the normal grind for the newcomers to the league. With Minor League Baseball completely obsolete last year, it’ll be interesting to see how the rookies of this year are able to bounce back. Here are my projected rookie of the year winners for this season.
American League: Jarred Kelenic
For those who think Randy Arozarena has a chance to win it, you’re sorely mistaken. By the end of postseason play last year, Dodger pitching had already figured out how to pitch to him. This is not to say he won’t be a factor, but Seattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic will lead the way in terms of top American League rookies. Sadly, his talents don’t look like they’ll be used early on in the season after comments made by former team president Kevin Mather. But when the M’s need a boost once May rolls along, Kelenic will be ready to prove his worthiness. What he brings to the table is an above-average bat with both power and contact as well as a strong arm. In 2019 in the minors, he batted .291 with 23 homers. Mariners fans should be excited especially him joining the 2020 Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis in the outfield. He’ll help for a potential playoff push.
Projected Stats: .285, 26 home runs, 87 runs batted in
Runner-ups: Nick Madrigal, Randy Arozarena
National League: Ke’Bryan Hayes
Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes is certainly showing Pittsburgh fans there may be a light at the end of the tunnel for the dismal team. Hayes wowed the league for a short stretch of 24 games hitting .376 with five home runs and a 1.124 OPS. He is the team’s third baseman for the foreseeable future and part of the rebuilding process of the Pirates. Although he received rookie of the year votes last year, he’s still eligible this upcoming year. What’s even more exciting, we’ll be able to see what the young man does in the space of a full season. The raw talent is all there. He’s my pick for the National League rookie of the year.
Projected stats: .282, 20 home runs, 70 runs batted in
Runner-ups: Ian Anderson, Sixto Sanchez
