Like with the MVP voting, the National League Rookie of the Year race would seem to be cut and dried. Kris Bryant has been the main guy all season long. Even before he was called up a few weeks into the season, he was the odds on favorite to win the award. Sure, he may still be the guy, but the season always brings some unexpected turns, and there are a few additional candidates that have developed as the season has gone along. Just like the other awards, we will look at the top four guys and what they need to do to claim the award.

Kris Bryant– Chicago Cubs

Key Numbers: .275, 25 HR, 82 Runs, 95 RBI, 13 SB

You can’t say that Bryant hasn’t lived up to his advanced billing. With a decent finish, he should surpass 100 RBI, and he already has surpassed five WAR. It’s very rare for a rookie to get to six wins above replacement and he may not get there in the next two weeks, but if he had started the season with the big club he likely would have gotten there. Bryant is here to stay.

What does he need to do to win?

At this point all he needs to do is keep from tripping over himself. The race should be a lot closer than what will likely turn out. Even if you remove the hype that followed him into the season, the voters are predisposed to voting for home runs and RBIs. This isn’t to say that he doesn’t deserve the attention, but there are some other players that deserve just as much attention.

Where should he finish?

Personally, I would choose him as my Rookie of the Year, but I would pause a lot more than most of the voters likely will. A part of the issue is the difference in defensive value. He has only 0.1 dWAR through Saturday’s action. Sure, a part of that is the fact that they have moved him around the diamond. He’s played all three outfield positions in addition to third base. Officially, he has been one run below average according to total zone runs (baseball-reference.com’s defensive metric), but others bring more defensive value to the table.

Matt Duffy— San Francisco Giants

Key Stats: .300, 10 HR, 69 Runs, 71 RBI, 8 SB

Coming into the season, Duffy wasn’t on anyone’s radar. He represents the kind of player that helps a team stay in the playoff hunt. His numbers aren’t terrific on their face, but you have to remember that AT&T Park is not the best hitting environment. As opposed to Bryant, Duffy has 1.1 dWAR, so that tends to enhance his value beyond the numbers. Of course, most members of the BBWAA don’t exactly pay a lot of attention to defensive numbers.

What does he need to do to win?

Officially, he stands second in WAR among National League rookies. He trails Kris Byrant by only 0.6 wins, but with only two weeks left in the season it is unlikely that he’ll catch up on his own. He will need Bryant to slump to accompany any hot streak he may have. Still, it likely won’t be enough as the voters tend to like gaudy power numbers over a player that brings good value across the board.

Where should he finish?

I would personally vote him second, but I don’t see him finishing there. Like I said, the voters tend to like gaudy numbers and there is at least one other candidate that has better offensive numbers than Duffy. His second problem is that two of the candidates will be playing in the playoffs while the Giants faded down the stretch. Still, that collapse can hardly be blamed on him.

Odubel Herrera— Philadelphia Phillies

Key Stats: .295, 8 HR, 59 Runs, 40 RBI, 14 SB

Herrera is the kind of guy we add because we need to have four guys. I seriously doubt he will get any serious consideration. For one, he doesn’t have the kind of profile of a player that gets a lot of attention. Still, his 1.2 dWAR makes him play up in terms of value. His 3.4 overall WAR is a distant fourth in the running, but his story is one that makes Phillies fans have some hope. If they can find a couple more guys like him and they might find themselves in contention in 2016.

What does he need to do to win?

He needs to go on a serious hot streak to finish among the top three. If he can finish the season above .300 then he might get on some people’s radar, but his best feature (fielding) is one that doesn’t move the needle all that much. It may be asking a lot, but if he can hit a couple of dingers it would help to get to double digits there as well, but he is destined to finish fourth at best.

Where should he finish?

He should finish fourth and may not even finish there. If there are any pitchers that the voters like then he will finish outside the top four. That being said, I’ve always liked position players in terms of value over pitchers.

Jung-Ho Kang— Pittsburgh Pirates

Key Stats: .287, 15 HR, 60 Runs, 58 RBI, 5 SB

There has long been a debate over whether players from foreign professional leagues should be considered rookies in the major leagues. I usually side on the no side, but the rules are the rules. Kang has been a godsend for the Pirates this season. Unfortunately, he recently broke his leg and tore his MCL. He hopefully will make it back by Spring Training next season, but his season is over.

What does he need to do to win?

Obviously, he can’t do anything right now. He was coming on pretty strong before his injury and it still may be enough to make him the runner up in the race. The MVP is usually the only race that considers team performance, but Kang’s performance in conjunction with the Pirates success might be an exception. He played third base and shortstop when they had no one else to do it. His numbers may not look like much, but those four wins above replacement were huge for them.

Where should he finish?

I personally would vote him third behind Duffy. I see both players in a similar light. Both players stepped up and played positions of need for their teams. The main difference is that the Pirates are going to the playoffs and the Giants are going home. Then again, Duffy will be playing for the next two weeks while Kang will be beginning his rehabilitation.