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Comparing Nolan Jones rookie campaign to other rookie of the year candidates

Nolan Jones is having an incredible rookie season for the Rockies and is starting to gain some attention as a possible NL Rookie of the year. Looking ahead, I decided to see just how Jones ranks among NL Rookies for the award.

By Thomas Murray |
Sep 13, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Nolan Jones (22) rounds the bases
Sep 13, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Nolan Jones (22) rounds the bases / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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When a team that is losing, plays in a city where teams are winning, that team could be often perceived as more of an afterthought rather then a team fans will want to see on a nightly basis.

Over the last two years, the Rockies have had to live in the shadow of the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche as both teams not only made the playoffs during this stretch but were also crowned champions.

Despite the recent struggles in Colorado, I do think the Rockies are getting really close to becoming a team that could be contending much sooner then later.

A big reason for that is due to the success of rookie outfielder Nolan Jones.

Jones is having an outstanding rookie season this year, with numbers matching or even surpassing those of some players who might be considered for the NL Rookie of the Year award like Corbin Carroll, James Outman, Spencer Steer, and Elly De La Cruz.

Currently, Jones has a batting average of .276, with a .871 OPS, 19 doubles, 16 home runs, 42 walks, and 13 stolen bases in 93 games played. Defensively, he has been outstanding, primarily rotating between right and left field. According to Baseball Savant, Jones leads all of MLB for the hardest throw in baseball, as he threw one from the outfield at a remarkable speed of 102.7 MPH. His average speed this season has been 98.7, which tops all MLB players.

1. Compared to Elly De La Cruz

Cincinnati Reds v Detroit Tigers
Cincinnati Reds v Detroit Tigers / Mark Cunningham/GettyImages

At the beginning of this season, Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz quickly found himself becoming a fan favorite among all in Major League Baseball.

At one point over the summer, everytime you would watch game highlights at the end of the day, you were almost certain to see De La Cruz make a spectacular play from the infield or at the plate.

Once called up in June, De La Cruz started red hot out of the gate hitting .307 with a .881 OPS, three home runs, six doubles, and two triples with 12 RBI's. Unfortunately, he eventually started to slow down at the plate. Since June, he has yet to hit over .250 in a month and is currently having the worst month of his young career in Sept. hitting .196 and an OPS of .557.

De La Cruz, is a promising young player that will be a multiple time All-Star in his career and should pile up a pair of Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves when it's all said and done. But as for Rookie of the year, I have to think he should be more of an afterthought coming this offseason.

2. Compared to James Outman

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers / Harry How/GettyImages

Like De La Cruz, James Outman is another rookie who caught the league by storm when he first came up for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

At the beginning of the year, Outman was another name that was brought up early on as a potential rookie of the year candidate. The center fielder came up as the Dodgers number 13th top prospect in one of the best farm systems across the MLB.

Outman began the year red hot for the Dodgers slashing .289/.366/.600 with six home runs and an incredible 18 RBI's over the month of April.

The rookie from Redwood City, California quickly discovered how challenging it can be to face Major League Baseball's pitchers. His performance declined significantly in May, recording a batting average of just .165 with 34 strikeouts. Although he showed some improvement in July and August, he unfortunately hit a slump again in September.

Right now, Outman is slashing .245/.354/.434 with 21 home runs, 66 RBI's, 14 doubles and three triples.

Unfortunately for Outman, his chances of winning the NL Rookie of the year might've been tarnished due to some of his more colder months of the year like May, June and what looks to be right now in Sept.

3. Compared to Spencer Steer

Cincinnati Reds v Boston Red Sox
Cincinnati Reds v Boston Red Sox / Maddie Meyer/GettyImages

Spencer Steer is the second Cincinatti Reds player to make it on this list. Steer, 25, has numbers that are very similar to Jones and could be a legitamite candidate to win this year's NL Rookie of the year.

Steer has played in 146 out of the Reds 151 games this season and has proven to become a core part of this ground group of players in Cincy.

This year, Steer has played good consistent baseball all season long. His best month came during May when he slashed .318/.372/.573 with six home runs,19 RBI's and six doubles on the year.

Right now, Steer ranks behind Jones in batting average and triples. Steer passes Jones in almost every other category and that could be what separates him from Jones when it comes for voting in Nov.

The only thing that I think might benefit Jones when compared to Steer is if the baseball writers will factor into consideration Jones's numbers to Steer's when it comes to games played in 2023.

Arizona Diamondbacks v New York Mets
Arizona Diamondbacks v New York Mets / Jim McIsaac/GettyImages

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Corbin Carroll might be the favorite to win the NL Rookie of the year and for good reason.

This season, he is slashing .279/.358/.501 with 24 home runs, 70 RBI's and incredible 47 stolen bases this year.

When it comes to average and OPS, Jones isn't far behind from Carroll and is just eight home runs behind. If Jones was on the Rockies opening day roster this year, I think he might've been able to build a stronger resume for the Rookie of the year.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. The one area that makes Carroll stand out from Jones as well is his remarkable 47 stolen bases.

Bottom Line:

It will take generous consideration from the voters for Jones to win Rookie of the Year due to his low number of games played compared to Carroll and Steer.

This season, Jones has played 93 games, while Carroll and Steer have both played at least 145. Although Jones has played in 52 games less than both of them, the numbers he has put up so far are quite impressive. If he wants to be rewarded as the NL Rookie of the year, he will need to put in some serious efforts at the end of the month.

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