The National League Rookie of the Year race this season has been a close one all year long. Ronald Acuña Jr. was the favorite coming into the season based on the expectation that he would get a ton of playing time with the Braves as well as the fact that he was considered by most to be the top prospect in baseball at the time.
However, the race has played out differently due to the unexpected emergence of some players to challenge him, as well as Acuña playing a bit less than expected due to be held down in the minors as well as an injury at midseason.