Top Five National League 2025 Rookie of the Year Candidates to Chase

Isaac Collins: Milwaukee Brewers

If you are not familiar with the Brewers’ left fielder, you are not alone. Collins played college ball at Creighton and was a ninth-round pick in the 2019 draft by the Colorado Rockies. A Rule 5 selection of the Brewers in 2022, Collins has made his push to the big leagues over the last two seasons. In 2024, Collins appeared in 11 games batting just .118, but everything has changed in 2025.

The 28-year-old rookie has raised his batting average to .287 with eight home runs and 41 runs batted in after a monster month of July that has continued into August. In July, Collins hit .321 earning NL Rookie of the Month. Over his last 30 games, he’s hitting .327 with 20 RBI and five stolen bases.

Jacob Misiorowski: Milwaukee Brewers

On the Paul Skenes (Pirates) track from a year ago, “The Miz” was an All-Star selection after wowing all through his first five starts beginning on June 12. Of the eight overall starts, two have been rough. On July 2, the Mets got five-earned off him in 3.2 innings and in his last outing, the Reds got five in 1.1 innings. The rough start against the Reds can be traced back to his July 28 start against the Cubs getting hit on the shin off a comebacker.

Now on the IL, will Misiorowski return to form before the season ends showing off his arsenal of pitches that goes with a fastball that topples the 100-mph mark? The body of work as is, 4-1 with a 3.89 ERA, and 50 Ks in 34.2 innings pitched.

*Another Brewer rookie to watch is third baseman Caleb Durbin. Durbin, a pick-up for Milwaukee via a trade with the Yankees, has fallen off as of late hitting .231 with two home runs over his last seven games, but is having a solid all-around year.

Hyeseong Kim: Los Angeles Dodgers

A true utility player for the Dodgers with time at second, short, and centerfield, Kim has helped his cause with getting more time on the field by batting .304 on the season. Through the Dodgers 125 games on the season, Kim has appeared in just 58. Complicating his opportunity to win NL ROY honors, he’s been slumping over the last month, hitting just .224. “The Comet” does have 12 stolen bases on the year, but none of the other statistical measures add up to postseason honors.

Drake Baldwin: Atlanta Braves

Not in a glamour spot being behind the plate, but could voters give Baldwin an extra nod for being at a tough defensive position? The defense for Baldwin has been solid with 499 putouts in 522 total chances with eight caught stealing. He has allowed 58 stolen bases and has committed three errors.

At the plate, Baldwin has been a counted upon everyday contributor. Hitting .278 for the season with 13 taters and 53 driven in. Furthermore, he’s appeared in 90 of the Braves 125 games showing the team’s faith in his abilities. Over his last 15 games, he’s popping at .283 with two homers and 12 RBI. Baldwin vs. Marlins rookie catcher Agustin Ramirez, Baldwin shines brighter across the board.

Cade Horton: Chicago Cubs

As the season goes on, Horton gets better. Roughed up for three earned against the Mariners on June 21, the next outing was seven earned against the Astros. A stellar seven-inning, no runs allowed, start against Guardians on July 3 gave way to four earned in 4.2 innings against the Twins. But since the July 9 game against Minnesota, Horton has been on fire going four starts without allowing an earned run before allowing just one to both Toronto and Milwaukee his last two times taking the mound.

Horton is now 7-4 with a 3.08 ERA. When he gets in trouble, he’s giving up the long ball with eight offerings this year through 87.2 innings pitched.