Batting Average:
Jason Heyward
Starlin Castro
OBP:
Jason Heyward
Starlin Castro
SLG%:
Jason Heyward
Starlin Castro
BB/K:
Jason Heyward
Starlin Castro
ISO:
Jason Heyward
Starlin Castro
wOBA:
Jason Heyward
Starlin Castro
As of August 5, Heyward and Castro have identical OPS numbers (.823) and according to UZR* have both been above average in the field, although Castro is doing it at a much more difficult and important position defensively.
Fangraphs has Heyward at 2.6 WAR. Castro is at 2.2.
Excluding pure results, we all know there are two criteria that baseball voters steer towards when deciding end of season awards:
1) "What have you done for me lately?"
2) Dramatic moments
The graphs above clearly show that Starlin Castro has been doing more for you lately, and quite frankly, a lot more. While Jason Heyward has been trending downwards in nearly every offensive category for several weeks (battling injury, admittedly), Castro has been on an absolute tear since July. If these trends continue, Castro will deservedly pass Heyward as the favorite for National League Rookie of the Year.
Unfortunately, as we all know, Jason Heyward won the ROY Award back on April 5 when he went deep in his first at bat in the majors. His three-run shot on opening day went a True Distance of 476 feet according to HitTracker, and it ranks as the third longest home run of 2010.
A three-run home run in the first major league at bat of your stellar rookie season? That kind of theater is an intangible that Starlin Castro just can't duplicate.
OH WAIT
You might not want to engrave Heyward's name on the ROY plaque just yet. Castro, along with Gaby Sanchez and Jaime Garcia, are making strong cases.
*OMG DID YOU JUST UZR WITH A SAMPLE SIZE THAT SMALL?!?!** LOL FAIL
** Yes, I did. They're rookies. What else do you want me to do?
