Nolan McLean seems unlikely to clinch the National League Rookie of the Year Award this season. While JJ Wetherholt has led the race for most of the year, the Cardinals second baseman has struggled with a .193 batting average since July 7. Meanwhile, Reds infielder Sal Stewart has gained significant ground, boasting a .310/.367/.474 performance since July 24, along with impressive stats of 28 home runs and 98 RBIs.
In this competitive setting, McLean is largely seen as the third favorite, reflected in most tracking polls and market speculations. This assessment seems fitting, especially as his teammate, Carson Benge, has shown remarkable improvement recently, at times overshadowing McLean as the Mets’ leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year title.
Some may perceive McLean’s current standing as a missed opportunity, stemming from two key reasons:
1. McLean was heavily favored to dominate this season after an impressive eight-game performance at the conclusion of last year. His prospects were further boosted by the honor of starting in the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela on St. Patrick’s Day.