Jazz or Trevor?

It comes as no surprise that a Marlin is the frontrunner for the April NL Rookie of the Month Award. Starting the season, it was clear that this ball club was ripe with the untapped potential of countless candidates. Jazz Chisholm emerged as an early frontrunner.

How could it not be him?

Jazz has been solid

Through 22 games, the Bahamian posts a .279 average, 4 home runs, 4 doubles, 6 stolen bases, and a whopping 150 OPS+. There is no doubt the kid can swing the bat, but his biggest competition is on his own team: Trevor Rogers.

Rogers has been even better

In his few outings last season, Trevor Rogers performed just about how you would expect a rookie to perform. In the shortened season’s entirety, Rogers posted a 6.11 ERA over 28 innings pitched. The extra year of growth looks to be all he needed to elevate his game. In his 28 innings this season, he has a 1.29 ERA, topping the league in multiple categories such as K/9, ERA, and Whiff%.

These stats are dominant, but his resume is what boosts him over Jazz Chisholm. Rogers has now had to pitch against Jacob deGrom and Corbin Burnes. Both of these starters have had monstrous starts to their seasons, breaking records left and right. But Burnes and deGrom have more in common than their fiery fastballs: they have both lost to Trevor Rogers.

Rogers’ quality of starts in this young season resembles that of an ace. Sandy Alcantara is still the ace, but Trevor Rogers is showing that he has the potential to become the “guy.” Competing against two of the best pitchers in baseball is no easy feat, and one that should not be overlooked around baseball.

As the season continues, expect both Jazz Chsihom and Trevor Rogers to compete monthly for the Rookie of the Month Award. Both will have slumps, but both will have very high highs.

This month, however, the award is rightfully Trevors.