And The Nominees Are: National League Rookie of the Year

The Nominees for this year’s 2008 National League Rookie of the Year Award are:

Chicago Cubs C Geovany Soto

Cincinnati Reds SP Edison Volquez

Cincinnati Reds OF Jay Bruce

Chicago Cubs OF Kosuke Fukudome

Cincinnati Reds OF Joey Votto  

Honorable Mention Cincinnati Reds SP Edison Volquez

Volquez was once slated to be in the running for the National League Cy Young award, but has fallen off in the last few months. Volquez is 16-5, with a 3.22 ERA and 192 K’s. Volquez has had an outstanding season in his first full season with the Reds, and will anchor the team’s rotation for years to come.

Volquez will forever be mention in the same breath as Texas Rangers OF Josh Hamilton. Volquez and Hamilton were traded for each other last offseason. While Hamilton has put up close to MVP numbers this season, Volquez had held his own and the Reds are not regretting making that trade at all.  Perhaps if he hadn’t fallen off towards the end of the season, Volquez would be running away with this award. However, consistency is what takes this award and this season, there has been one man steadier than the rest.

And the winner is…

Chicago Cubs C Geovany Soto  

Soto has done so many things well this season. From timely hitting, to handling a very diverse pitching staff, Soto is a big reason why the Cubbies are the cream of the crop in the National League. Soto is hitting .281 with 21 HR’s and 81 RBI’s to go along with a .502 slugging percentage. Soto has also thrown out 27% of base runners this season, which ranks 8th in the Major Leagues.

The most intriguing way Soto has affected the Cubs is by how he has handeled the pitchign staff. The Cubs team ERA this season is 3.81, 4th in the Major Leagues, and 2nd in the National League. He has had to deal with the acquisition of Rich Harden and helping him adjust to the National League. Kerry Wood began his reclamation as the teams closer, and Soto has helped him have a successful season, despite Wood being injured recently. Soto has handled the bat, and the pitchers, well enough for him to win the National League ROY award, and it will probably be the first of many other honors Soto will earn throughout his career.