NL Rookie of Year Race: Top Prospects, No Clear Favorite

The 2025 MLB season’s stretch run is here. In the American League, Oakland Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz has basically locked up Rookie of the Year, but the National League? That’s still wide open.

Three rookies—each with their own story—are fighting for the crown. Drake Baldwin of the Braves, Cade Horton of the Cubs, and Isaac Collins of the Brewers have all made strong cases, and honestly, it’s tough to call right now.

The National League Rookie of the Year Picture

The AL race feels wrapped up, but the NL is a real chess match. Consistency, dominance, versatility—every angle’s in play.

DraftKings puts Baldwin at -110, Horton at +130, and Collins at +450. There’s no obvious frontrunner, which makes this race way more fun for fans as the season winds down.

Drake Baldwin – The Steady Backstop

Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has given Atlanta steady production all year. In 101 games, he’s slashing .283/.356/.462 with 15 homers, 62 RBI, and a 2.6 WAR.

That’s solid, especially for a catcher, where offense isn’t always a given. The Braves aren’t in the playoff hunt, though, and voters sometimes lean toward rookies on contending teams.

Baldwin’s durability and steady bat still keep him in the mix. He’s done his part, even if the team hasn’t.

Cade Horton – The Pitcher with Power Stuff

Cubs rookie pitcher Cade Horton has been electric lately. Over his last eight starts, he’s 6-1 with a wild 0.86 ERA.

Horton’s dominance has definitely put him in the conversation. But, with just 98 ⅔ innings so far, he’s under the usual Rookie of the Year workload—Paul Skenes set the modern mark at 133 innings in 2024.

If Horton doesn’t hit that number, voters will have to decide if his quality outweighs the quantity. That’s always a tough call.

Isaac Collins – The Versatile Sparkplug

Brewers utility man Isaac Collins brings a different vibe. He’s got a 2.7 WAR, thanks to a balanced bat and the ability to play all over the diamond.

Collins is hitting .276/.373/.426 with 19 doubles, eight homers, 51 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. He’s been a spark for the best team in baseball, even if he’s cooled off lately—just .217 in his last 21 games.

But when the pressure’s on, Collins delivers. He’s hitting .318 with runners in scoring position. That kind of clutch performance, plus his role on a top team, might be what tips the scales for some voters.

What Will Decide the Race?

The 2025 NL Rookie of the Year could come down to three things:

• Consistency vs. Peak Performance – Baldwin’s steady play or Horton’s flashes of dominance?
• Workload Standards – Will voters ding Horton if he doesn’t reach the usual innings?
• Team Success – Collins plays for the league’s best. Sometimes, that matters more than folks admit.

The Final Weeks Will Be Crucial

With less than a month left in the season, every game really matters now. Baldwin wants to keep hitting well and stay hot at the plate.

Horton keeps pushing for more innings, hoping his pitching dominance holds up. Collins, meanwhile, hopes to shake off his slump but still finds ways to deliver when it counts for Milwaukee.

Voters are always drawn to big moments—a walk-off, a shutout, or some wild late-season spark. All three of these guys still have a shot to create one.

Fans and analysts should probably keep an eye on the standings and stat sheets, especially with those tense September matchups looming. The AL Rookie of the Year feels almost decided, but the NL race? That’s a real toss-up, a genuine three-horse race that captures the unpredictable drama of baseball’s final weeks.

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Here is the source article for this story: MLB Awards Watch: NL Rookie of the Year race jam-packed with top prospects, but no clear favorite just yet