NL ROY?

Will this be another year that another Brave gets the shaft in the rookie of the year voting? While it is still far too early to crown the best rookie, by virtue of his better start (and Brave Ronald Acuna’s stint on the disabled list), the Nationals Juan Soto is for many already the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year. No matter what the people say.

But since Acuna’s ascension to the leadoff spot, the kid from Curaco has been performing feat not seen in generations, becoming the youngest to homer in four straight games, and one of four players to lead off both ends of a doubleheader with a home run. Since the all-star break Acuna has out-hit Soto. If he stays on this pace a while longer Acuna will bring his season stats in line with Soto’s.

Even after I wrote this Acuna hit another home run, placing himself alongside even more pantheons.

 The stats below are through August 13. Current Wins Above Replacement: Acuna 2.5, Soto 2.0.

.G..AB..R..H.2B.3B.HR.BI.BB.SO.SB.CS.avg.OBP.SLG.OPS

66 259 47 73 17 01 17 39 21  81   8  2  282 342  552 894 RA

74 256 53 77 16 01 15 43 53  57   2  1  301 421  547 968

 

IBB.HBP.SAC.SF.TB.XBH.GDP.GO.AO...%.....NP...PA

0      3      0     1 143  35     2     50 58 0.86 1167 284 RA

6      0      1     0 140  32     3     83 43 1.93 1288 310 JS

 

All this could be for naught, since Soto has the power of the national press in his back yard. People read this and believe, not bothering to check out the facts for themselves. like this guy:

At this point the teenager is certainly worthy of the rookie award. If voters look close enough, the tipping point could very well be the two players’ strikeout to walk ratio: Acuna’s is much worse.

 

Should the Nats continue to struggle to win, and the Braves remain in playoff contention, you’d think this would win votes for Acuna. But historically more rookie of the years come from the media centers than the Deep South.   

 

After the All-Star break

.G.AB..R..H.2B.3B.HR.BI.BB.SO.SB.CS.avg.OBP.SLG.OPS

23 90 23 31  6   1  10 20 09 25   6   1 344 410 767 1.177 RA

23 80 21 24  5   1  06 15 20 16   0   1 300 440 613 1.053 JS

 

IBB.HBP.SAC.SF.TB.XBH.GDP.GO.AO.%....NP...PA

0      1      0    0   69  17     0     17  17 1.00 403 100 RA

4      0      1    0   49  12     2     32  11 2.91 429 101 JS

 

Another thing that may have helped propel sentiment for Soto over Acuna: last week Braves hall of fame announcer Joe Simpson’s attempt to cast doubt over Soto’s young age. People were already wary of Simpson after he called out Chase Utley for his casual batting practice attire.

 

https://www.myajc.com/blog/mark-bradley/not-what-the-braves-had-mind-joe-simpson-controversy-magnet/ZAZAGpQL5xBmjBPBdS6hCN/

 

https://www.myajc.com/blog/mark-bradley/the-astonishing-ronald-acuna-doubly-delicious-day/doHdcdfHjAoGmhr9necYkM/

 

https://www.myajc.com/sports/leadoff-take-look-the-crazy-numbers-ronald-acuna-putting/18PRx5sk3eRa3NLzqTTg9L/?utm_source=newspaper&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5543829&ecmp=newspaper_email&