ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Yasmany Tomas is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate

May 21, 2015, 4:25 PM | Updated: 4:25 pm

...

He just came off his sixth consecutive multi-hit game. He is batting a remarkable .349 and playing some outstanding defense at third base. So now is as good a time as any. Yasmany Tomas, the 24-year-old Cuban that the Arizona Diamondbacks signed to a 6-year, $68.5 million dollar free agent contract in the offseason, is a legitimate Rookie of the Year Candidate.

In what is shaping up to be a sensational rookie class in the National League, Tomas is either right at or near the top of the heap when it comes to top rookies. His power and RBI numbers are not great yet — he just hit his first and only home run last week in Philadelphia — but that average and his defense have stood out.

Now becoming the first Diamondback to win Rookie of the Year will not be easy. This is a great class and the competition is fierce.

Joc Pederson, Dodgers – .236 with 10 home runs and 21 RBI

Alex Guerrero, Dodgers – .311 with six home runs and 16 RBI

Kris Bryant, Cubs – .291 with four home runs and 25 RBI

Carlos Frias, Dodgers – 3-1 record with a 2.55 ERA

Chris Heston, San Francisco – 3-3 record with a 3.72 ERA

Now there is still 3/4 of the season left, but 40 games into the season is a good sample size to gauge the rookies. Tomas was called up on April 15 to be a pinch-hitter off the bench. On April 19 he got his first major league hit — a pinch-hit single in a 5-1 win over the Giants. That same day, third baseman Jake Lamb went on to disabled list, opening up a spot for Tomas to play regularly. And he has taken advantage ever since, giving manager Chip Hale a good problem to have when Lamb returns in a couple of weeks.

So even with only playing in 28 of 40 games, you can see why Arizona thought so highly of Tomas. In 2012, Wade Miley finished second to Bryce Harper in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. That is the closest any D-back has ever come. If Tomas can keep up this pace, he may just have a chance to bring home the hardware.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr....

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks keep good times rolling with 14-run inning, Opening Day rout of Rockies

What the Diamondbacks accomplished in the third inning against the Rockies on Thursday night was completely new for those in the ballpark. 

9 hours ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flips his bat during Arizona Diamondbacks' 2024 Opening Day...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks score 14 runs in a single inning to beat Rockies on Opening Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks set franchise marks with 13 hits and 14 runs in the third inning of their 2024 Opening Day game against the Rockies.

12 hours ago

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

16 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

19 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

21 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

21 hours ago

Yasmany Tomas is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate