In 2010, we’ve witnessed five no-hitters (two perfect games), it would be six (three perfect games) if you include the infamous Armando Galaragga blown call. It has been dubbed 1968 all over again, the Year of the Pitcher. It is a deserving name for this season but another phenomena has hit MLB, the emergence of countless NL rookies leading their teams as their present and future.
The American League is really thin on rookie talent with only Detroit rookies Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch along with Rangers All-star closer Neftali Feliz are considered serious candidates for that award in the AL.
The National League race this season is sort of reminiscent of the 2007 race with featured Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, Hunter Pence, Chris Young, Kyle Kendrick, James Loney, and Yunel Escobar as great candidates for the Rookie of the Year award.
The ’07 class was stronger at the top but the 2010 class has a broader field of legitimate candidates who will need a string of clutch performances down the stretch to emerge victorious amongst rookies in the National League.
Here are the 13 National League rookie candidates and their credentials for a Rookie of the Year award in 2010…