This Reds player should be runner-up behind Corbin Carroll for NL Rookie of the Year Award

It seems like a forgone conclusion that Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is going to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Carroll has been outstanding during his first major league season. The 23-year-old leads all NL rookies in runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS.

But the Cincinnati Reds have several young players who'll be in the conversation for NL Rookie of the Year. The Reds have seen over a dozen players make their major league debut in 2023, but who stands out above all the rest?

This Reds player should be runner-up behind Corbin Carroll for NL Rookie of the Year Award.

As far as the national media is concerned, the award should probably go to Elly De La Cruz. But while De La Cruz might be the most entertaining rookie in the majors this season, I could make the case that he doesn't even crack the Top 3 when it comes to first-year players on the Cincinnati Reds roster.

If Matt McLain were still on the field, it's likely he could have even challenged Corbin Carroll over the final month of the season for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. But McLain is currently sidelined with an oblique injury and may miss the rest of the season. Still, McLain leads all NL rookies in batting average.

But Spencer Steer has been absolutely invaluable to the Reds during his rookie campaign. Often overlooked for the flashier De La Cruz, Steer is a steady presence in the Reds lineup.

The 25-year-old leads all National League rookies in doubles (31), walks (61), and RBI (77), and is tied with Carroll for the rookie lead with 131 hits. Steer also ranks in the Top 5 of all NL rookies in games played, runs scored, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

On the pitching side, Andrew Abbott deserves some love as well. He's among the Top 5 National League rookies in starts, innings pitched, ERA, strikeouts, WHIP, and batting average-against.

While it's very likely that Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Andrew Abbott, and even Brandon Williamson will all receive some votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Corbin Carroll should be the only first-year player ahead of Spencer Steer on this year's NL Rookie of the Year ballot.