Major League Baseball’s Most Underrated Rookie
Masyn Winn has put together a fantastic rookie season in his first full season with the St. Louis Cardinals. If it weren’t for the great play of San Diego Padres Outfielder Jackson Merrill and Pittsburgh Pirates flamethrower Paul Skenes, Winn would be well on his way to the National League Rookie of the Year award. Despite the Cardinals performing below expectations, Masyn Winn has been one of the biggest bright spots for the team this season. Having struggled in 37 games for the Redbirds to end the 2023 season, the St. Louis Cardinals weren’t sure what they would have this year in Winn, even signing veteran Shortstop Brandon Crawford to the roster just in case. Crawford has since been waived as Winn continues to perform at the highest level.
As a rookie this season, Masyn Winn has dazzled on both sides of the baseball as a rookie this season. Many knew his fielding prowess, having one of the strongest arms in all of baseball, ranking in the 96th percentile according to Baseball Savant while also being in the 91st percentile for Outs Above Average. What has surprised many has been Winn’s performance at the plate. Starting the season hitting anywhere from seventh to ninth in the lineup, it didn’t take Winn very long to become the Cardinals leadoff hitter. Masyn Winn is hitting a very respectable .282 on the season with 137 hits and 47 runs batted in. Winn has 12 home runs on the season but has showcased much more power recently, hitting six homers in his last 30 games. Proving to be a great contact hitter, Winn has yet to strike out 100 times this season, having only struck out 89 times in 530 total plate appearances.
Had it not been for the great rookie campaigns of Jackson Merrill and Paul Skenes, Winn would undoubtedly have gained more traction in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Excluding the 2023 Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll, who finished fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting in his rookie season, many of Winn’s numbers are in between the range of the 2022 and 2021 winners of the award Michael Harris II and Johnathan India. Although Winn may not be able to catch up to the home run numbers of those two rookie seasons, Winn is certain to top Harris II and India in hits for a rookie during their respective rookie seasons. Despite the Cardinal's playoff chances looking very slim at the moment, they still remain six games back of the final National League Wild Card spot. Winn will look to continue his fantastic rookie season for the Cardinals in order for them to reach the postseason. Still, regardless of how the Cardinals finish in 2024, it is certain that Masyn Winn will be a key contributor to their ball club for many years to come.
