This Reds player has best chance to steal NL Rookie of the Year Award from Corbin Carroll

With Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks taking the baseball world by storm, the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year Award has seemingly been decided.

During the 2023 season, Carroll has been playing very well. The D-backs outfielder is currently batting at .305, which is the ninth-best in the league and has smashed 15 home runs, while swiping 19bags, and racking up 38 RBIs.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder James Outman and New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty are in the conversation as well, but Carroll is in a class by himself at the moment. However, there is one player who could take him to the limit, and that Cincinnati Reds rookie sensation, Matt McLain.

Matt McLain could steal the NL Rookie of the Year from Corbin Carroll

Since making his big league debut back in mid-May, Matt McLain has been on a tear. McLain has shown himself to be a very valuable hitter for the Reds, currently hitting .324 with an OPS of .881. McLain has also shown off his power, picking up three home runs on the year.

McLain is a hitting machine and currently ranks third in the NL with four triples. He also won an NL Player of the Week honors for the week of May 28. McLain provides a ton of offense and has secured his spot as the No. 2 hitter in the Reds batting order.

With the emergence of Elly De La Cruz, and Spencer Steer also having a decent year, the Reds rookies have been absolutely on fire this season. Adding the likes of Andrew Abbott, and even the impeding call-up of Christian Encarnacion-Strand, this Reds rookie class could be very special.

Matt McLain could be the most likely first-year player to steal the NL Rookie of the Year Award from Corbin Carroll. While De La Cruz and Steer have played well, McLain has the best opportunity to take home the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year Award; something fellow infielder Jonathan India did just two years ago.