After Jesse Winker joined the big-league team in July last year, he showed Reds fans what many had been waiting for since he was drafted in 2012. In 137 plate appearances, Winker smacked seven home runs, walked 15 times against 24 strikeouts, and slashed .298/.375/.529. It was the best that anyone could have asked for in terms of a highly touted prospect’s first taste of the major leagues. While it may have been a bit farfetched considering the massive prospect influx expected to hit MLB in 2018, Rookie of the Year was certainly in the conversation for Winker.
Fast forward another 334 plate appearances and Jesse has backed up the hype with a strong Rookie of the Year candidacy.