NEWSLETTER
I’m not actually shocked, because the National League field this year was pretty strong, and the three finalists for Rookie of the Year are justifiable selections ahead of Cubs rookie Patrick Wisdom.
The finalists are Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson, Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers, and almost-certain-winner Reds second baseman Jonathan India:
These young guys brought it.
Your 2021 NL Rookie of the Year finalists ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xNmNrH7aV9
— MLB (@MLB) November 8, 2021
By WAR, Wisdom’s 2.3 was third among NL position players, just a click ahead of teammate Frank Schwindel (2.2), and behind only the two guys up there. At 4.2 (for a pitcher), Rogers was ahead of Wisdom as well.
Wisdom still might get a vote or two, and he’s a finalist for the Player’s Choice version of the award. As we wrote then:
Overall, Wisdom hit .231/.305/.518 with a 115 wRC+, while playing solidly above-average defense at third base (and chipping in at first and in the outfield). It was clearly a successful year.
Now, then, whether he can continue to be successful with a strikeout rate that touches 40%, well, that’s a conversation we’ve had many times. I tend to think it’s not realistic, and expecting significant improvement on that front – without losing the extreme power that makes him playable – at age 30 is probably a long-shot. He just has a huge hole in his swing at the top of the zone. The discipline is pretty good. It’s just that his swing, the very thing that makes his power so impressive, comes with a big hole.
Keep Wisdom on the roster? Absolutely. Anticipate that he’ll work his way in next year? Absolutely. Foreclose other opportunities this offseason because of his presence? No. Tolerate him as the starting third baseman into next year if it was because the Cubs made other massive additions in the rotation and at shortstop and in the outfield? OK, fine. I’d be good with that.
The Cubs had some fun tonight with the non-nod:
When in doubt, take the high road. #DailyWisdom pic.twitter.com/E3oVxeAArj
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 8, 2021
