Sal Stewart has some competition for NL Rookie of the Year.
The National League Rookie of the Year race picked up over the final months of the regular season with multiple candidates emerging as top picks for the honor. New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge believes he is deserving of the award over Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart.
Benge finished his first MLB season with his case built on power, speed, defense and consistency, and he was not shy about where he stands when asked directly.
In an interview with Mike Puma of the New York Post, Benge said, "I don't know [Sal Stewart], but he seems like a great dude. He's a Jesus man, which I love. He seems like a great person. But I feel like I would be deserving of the award in the most humble way possible. I don't mean to come off cocky. I think I deserve it."
He continued, "I think I showed in the whole season, in all facets of the game, that I did a pretty good job showcasing my talent, but there's definitely other good rookies out there."
There is a legitimate argument to be made for Benge. He played 156 games and hit .282 with a .346 on-base percentage and .776 OPS, finishing with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs, 86 runs and 22 stolen bases.
He became the first rookie in Mets history to produce a 20-20 season. Benge was one of New York's most reliable defensive outfielders and finished with 10 outfield assists. That combination of offense, speed and defense makes his candidacy more complete than a simple power comparison.
Stewart clearly has the stronger offensive resume, though. He played all 162 games and hit .263 with a .330 on-base percentage and .787 OPS, adding 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. That kind of offensive production is hard for voters to overlook. Stewart finished with 47 more RBIs than Benge and 12 more home runs while playing every single game of the season.
Benge has more stolen bases and a defensive argument that Stewart cannot match, though. Stewart has the advantage in power and durability. Both sides have a clear case, which is exactly what makes this one of the more interesting award races at the end of the season.
It will come down to what each individual voter values more when the time comes. If voters weigh all-around value and two-way impact, Benge has a path. If they lean on the traditional counting stats, Stewart is the pick.
