4. Ian Anderson or Cristian Pache Will Win 2021 NL Rookie of the Year
While each appeared in a vastly different number of games and played different roles for the Braves during the shortened 2020 season, both Ian Anderson and Cristian Pache are primed to make a run at winning the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year.
Ian Anderson made his highly-anticipated MLB debut for the Braves during the 2020 season. Anderson made six starts for the Braves during the 2020 season where he went 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA with 14 BB and 41 K’s. Anderson shined even more in the Postseason where he went 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in 4 starts.
Anderson finished 7th a year ago in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, and still retains his Rookie eligibility for this season where he is a favorite to win the award.
Cristian Pache stepped in for the injured Adam Duvall during the 2020 NLCS where he went 4/22 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs. Pache didn’t play as much as Anderson last season, but enters the 2021 season as the #12 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline.
While you could probably think of anywhere from 10-15 legit candidates to win the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, the Braves have two that should be considered the favorites.
Will Ian Anderson or Cristian Pache win the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year? We know what Anderson is capable of, but I believe that Pache will surprise a lot of people in 2021.
The Atlanta Braves will bring home many awards and accolades in 2021 including the NL Rookie of the Year. If I had to guess, Ian Anderson will win the NL Rookie of the Year with Cristian Pache finishing within the Top 5.