National League Rookie of the Year

Jordan Walker St. Louis Cardinals

After walking through the player pool for the fantasy baseball season, it’s time to switch gears to the betting market. My first stop is the National League Rookie of the Year awards. I used DraftKings Sportsbook as my point of reference for each player’s odds.

Before we look at my National League Rookie of the Year candidates, please familiarize yourself with my 2023 fade list. Also, my 2023 bounce-back players deep sleepersbreakout hitter of the year, and extensive preview of all 30 squads are invaluable resources. Finally, our 2023 MLB breakout pitchers list digs deep to give you an edge on draft day. And, of course, read who I picked to be the American League Rookie of the Year

 

3B Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals (+360)

After making the Cardinals’ opening-day roster, Walker is the clear favorite to be the best rookie in the National League in 2023. He is a beast of a man who should have four-category success out of the gate. Walker smashes the ball, and many of his line drives will also league the park. I expect some early-season potholes, but his swing and stats should shine brightly after the season. Walker was also my breakout hitter of the year. 

OF Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks (+400)

Diamondback fans should fall in love with Carroll this year. His speed is electric, and his power will be much better than most believe. If he shaves off a few strikeouts, his batting average will also become a massive edge. I expect him to play well in his rookie campaign, and I wish I had him on more teams. I consider him on a similar path as Bobby Witt in 2022 while needing to prove he can stay on the field for 150 games at the major league level.

1B Miguel Vargas, Los Angeles Dodgers (+700)

There is a lot to like about the future of Vargas. He was well respected in the high-stake drafts in Vegas, and I expect him to hit in a favorable part of the Dodgers’ batting order. His challenge in winning this award is that Jordan Walker and Corbin Carroll have a chance to post eye-popping stats, while Vargas projects to be a high-floor five-category player. On his side of the equation, he may outlast play them in volume of at-bats.

OF Garrett Mitchell, Milwaukee Brewers (+3,000)

Mitchell doesn’t get the attention of the top three players on this list, but he does have plenty of talent while offering elite speed and defense. In addition, his size (6’3” and 215 lbs.) screams much more power once he adds more loft. His first step in improvement at the major league is controlling the strike zone better. Mitchell needs to work his way up the Brewers’ batting order to increase his chance of winning.

SP Kyle Harrison, San Francisco Giants (+6000)

Harrison falls into the dark horse category for rookie of the year because he will start the season in the minors. If and when he makes the Giants’ starting rotation, his edge will be his ability to pile up massive strikeouts. His command wasn’t major league ready last year, inviting some up-and-down games once he reaches San Francisco. 

 


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About Shawn Childs 970 Articles
Shawn Childs has been a high stakes Fantasy baseball and football player since 2004 where he had success in his first season (three titles and $25,000 in winnings). In early years of the high stakes market in Fantasy baseball, he was ahead of the curve in player evaluation, draft value, and free agent bidding setting up four top-five finishes in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. He has four AL-only Auction titles, one NL-only title, and five Main Event titles plus an overall title in 2012 at RTFBC (netted $10,000). This success led to an induction into the NFBC Baseball Hall of Fame. His success in the high stakes market led to a career in providing Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Football content. On the football side, he’s competed and won in all different formats – auctions, draft championship, main events, and high-dollar leagues. He won 2nd place overall in the 2014 Most Accurate Salary Cap Expert contest at FantasyPros. As a dual-sport player, it was natural to transition to the daily games where he is a “swing for the fences type of guy.” Childs has appeared in one FanDuel NFL Live Final and one DraftKings NFL Live Final, a season-ending tournament which led to a couple of chances to win over $1,000,000.