The Super Two deadline apparently has passed, which explains why several big-time prospects have been promoted (Gerrit Cole, Mike Zunino, Wil Myers and Zach Wheeler). All four phenoms could crack the Rookie Watch in the coming months. In the meantime, here's our weekly look at the majors' top five rookies of the moment (all stats through Monday).
8-4, 2.08 ERA, 96 K, 0.96 WHIP
After waiting out a two-hour rain delay, Miller pitched five scoreless innings Monday night before leaving the game due to a cramp in his right leg.
"It was just cramping up as I pushed off the mound towards the end," Miller said. "I kind of just battled through the last couple of outs, but it’s alright."
That's the sixth time in 14 starts this season he's departed a game without giving up a run. On Monday against the Cubs, Miller allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out five to pick up his eighth win.
In his previous start, Miller struck out 10, though he yielded four earned runs — the most he has allowed in a game this season.
Even when Miller is bad, he's pretty good.
.479/.500/.771, 4 HR, 10 RBI
Puig has made quite an impression in two weeks since getting called up. He's the first major leaguer to have 20 hits and four home runs in his first 12 games. The four homers came in his first five games, including an opposite-field grand slam that left Vin Scully speechless.
The rookie sensation has hit safely in 11 of 13 games, with eight multi-hit performances (which is probably bad news for Andre Ethier).
Puig has inspired a brawl, several nicknames, unprecedented merchandise sales and even a new grindcore band, aptly named “Puig Destroyer.”
It began as a joke but has spawned into something greater. The first single, "One Man, Five Tools," was released last week.
6-2, 2.85 ERA, 75 K, 1.18 WHIP
Lost in the Puig-mania has been Ryu's continued success every fifth day. He's pitched at least six innings in 12 of his 13 starts and has made 10 quality starts.
Ryu didn't have his best stuff in his last outing. However, he left with a one-run lead before the Dodgers lost 8-6 in 12 innings to the D-backs. He allowed 11 hits (all singles) and escaped several jams by inducing four double plays, but he limited the damage to three runs over six innings.
The highlight of Ryu's last start was his RBI triple in the fifth inning. He's hitting .259 (7 for 27) this season, which is pretty amazing considering pitchers don't get to hit in Korea.
.252/.317/.577, 14 HR, 37 RBI
It's been more than two weeks since Gattis has started consecutive games. Still, he continues to be a dangerous weapon off the bench. Unfortunately, Gattis was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a strained right oblique.
As a pinch-hitter, Gattis is 6 for 8 with four homers, a double, 11 RBI and two walks. He has already tied the Atlanta season record for pinch-hit home runs (Tommy Gregg had four in 1990). The Dodgers' Dave Hansen set the major league record with seven in 2000, and the Pirates' Craig Wilson matched that total one year later.
Gattis still leads all rookies in homers (14) and RBI (37) by a wide margin. Check out the cloud of rosin coming off the baseball he destroyed last week in San Diego:
.268/.341/.443, 5 HR, 19 RBI
Promoted on April 28, Arenado had three homers and eight RBI in his first seven games. What followed was a monthlong slump that dropped his batting average to .221.
But Arenado didn't let his struggles at the plate affect his play at third base, which has been outstanding. In 149 chances, Arenado has committed just two errors. He leads all third basemen in Range Factor and leads all rookies in WAR.
Offensively, Arenado has heated up, hitting .385 (20 for 52) with one home run, two triples, five doubles, six runs and seven RBI in his last 12 games.
