Bryce Harper: Stars Capable of Nipping Nationals Stud for NL Rookie of the Year

Since being called up a couple weeks ago, young Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has taken the league by storm. Not only have the Nats continued their surprising run atop the National League East, but the 19-year-old has performed well, as he is hitting .308 with three RBI and a steal.

Harper's play has been especially surprising thus far, because he was scuffling a bit in AAA and there was some talk of sending him down to AA.

Harper has thrived at the next level, though, and appears to be up for the long haul. Many are ready to hand him the NL Rookie of the Year Award already, and he very well may win it, but there is no shortage of competition.

Here are three players who will challenge Harper for that honor over the course of the long and arduous season.

Lance Lynn, SP, STL

If the voting for the award were to be held today, I have to believe that St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn would be the NL Rookie of the Year. Lynn pitched a bit out of the bullpen for the Cards last season and was a valuable asset in the playoffs, but he was able to maintain his rookie eligibility.

He was moved into the starting rotation and has been a stabilizing force, with Cris Carpenter battling injuries and Adam Wainwright trying to regain his pre-Tommy-John form. Not only has Lynn been one of the best rookie starters in the game this season, but he has been one of the best starters period, as his numbers are absolutely sublime.

Lynn has a perfect record of 6-0, a sparkling 1.40 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 38.2 innings, so he should be able to sustain his excellent play for the most start.

Lynn's numbers are obviously going to even out a bit over the course of the season, but as long as he remains a reliable starter, he is the frontrunner for this award.

Zack Cozart, SS, CIN

He isn't likely to get anywhere near the same recognition over the course of the season as Harper, but Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart has been very good thus far in his rookie campaign.

Not only has he been the team's starter since the beginning of the season, but he has put up some decent numbers with a .271 average, three home runs, seven RBI and 18 runs scored, which leads all rookies.

Cozart showed some good flashes in a call-up last season, and he certainly hasn't disappointed in his encore performance. Cozart's disadvantage is that even if he performs equally to Harper for the remainder of the season, the massive amount of hype that Harper receives may prevent him from beating him in the voting.

The shortstop certainly can't be counted out, though, because he plays a position that doesn't see as much offensive production, so perhaps that will play in his favor.

Wade Miley, SP, ARI

After beginning the season as a reliever, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Wade Miley has transitioned seamlessly to a starting role and doesn't appear ready to relinquish his spot anytime soon.

His record of 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA is extremely impressive, but the best part of Miley's game has been keeping runners off the bases, as he has only allowed 26 baserunners in 27 innings. 

All signs point to Miley being for real, and that certainly bodes well for the Diamondbacks' chances in the competitive NL West this season. Aside from Ian Kennedy, Miley looks as though he will be counted upon to be Arizona's most important starter moving forward, and that gives him a chance to unseat Harper.

Miley will have to out-pitch Lynn and play more impressively than Harper moving forward, so he has an uphill climb, but there is no doubt that Miley shouldn't be counted out in terms of having a chance to take the prestigious honor.