Baseball America posted its 2015 All-Rookie Team on Friday and to no surprise the Cubs placed more players on the publication’s team than any other organization.
Three Cubs, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber, made Baseball America’s First-Team All-Rookie Team in what was the Year of the Rookie across Major League Baseball.
Kris Bryant had a tremendous first season in the majors and will be the National League Rookie of the Year despite when the best fans in baseball think. Bryant hit .275/.369/.488 with 31 doubles, five triples and 26 home runs for a .858 OPS. Bryant set Cubs rookie records for home runs (26) and RBI (99) that were owned by Billy Williams for 54 years (1961).
Kris Bryant played and started at five different positions this season (third base, first base, left, right and center field) and made considerable improvement at third base. Bryant was selected to the NL All-Star team and participated in the Home Run Derby.
At 21 years old, Addison Russell is the youngest of the Cubs outstanding Rookie Class of 2015. And Russell showed he has the tools to be a very good big leaguer for a long time. Russell batted .242/.307/.389 in 142 games with 29 doubles, a triple and 13 home runs for a .696 OPS. Russell was better at the plate after the break and hit .259/.318/.427 in 13 doubles, a triple and eight home runs for a .744 OPS in 71 games.
Russell played Gold Glove caliber defense at second base and shortstop. And Russell turned in highlight-reel plays at both positions before taking over at shortstop on a full-time basis in August.
Kyle Schwarber had an excellent start to his Major League career. Schwarber can punish a baseball, the only question about his future is where will be play in the field. Schwarber improved behind the plate and is learning how to play the outfield in the majors.
Schwarber batted .246/.355/.487 in 69 games in the bigs with six doubles, a triple and 16 home runs for a .842 OPS.
Baseball America All-Rookie Team
- C – Kyle Schwarber (Cubs)
- 1B – Justin Bour (Marlins)
- 2B – Addison Russell (Cubs)
- 3B – Kris Bryant (Cubs)
- SS – Francisco Lindor (Indians)
- CF – Joc Pederson (Dodgers)
- OF – Randal Grichuk (Cardinals)
- OF – Odubel Herrera (Phillies)
- DH – Carlos Correa (Astros)
- SP – Anthony DeSclafani (Reds)
- SP – Lance McCullers Jr. (Astros)
- SP – Carlos Rodon (White Sox)
- SP – Eduardo Rodriguez (Red Sox)
- SP – Noah Syndergaard (Mets)
- RP – Roberto Osuna (Blue Jays)
Baseball America All-Rookie Second Team
- C – J.T. Realmuto (Marlins)
- 1B – Greg Bird (Yankees)
- 2B – Matt Duffy (Giants)
- 3B – Maikel Franco (Phillies)
- SS – Jung-Ho Kang (Pirates)
- CF – Billy Burns (Athletics)
- OF – Michael Conforto (Mets)
- OF – Stephen Piscotty (Cardinals)
- DH – Miguel Sano (Twins)
- SP – Andrew Heaney (Angels)
- SP – Chris Heston (Giants)
- SP – Raisel Iglesias (Reds)
- SP – Nate Karns (Rays)
- SP – Luis Severino (Yankees)
- RP – Carson Smith (Mariners)
Jorge Soler did not make either the first or second team. Soler dealt with injuries. But when he was on the field he produced at the plate. In 101 games, Soler batted .262/.324/.399 with 18 doubles, a triple and 10 home runs for a .723 OPS.
• Baseball America’s All-Rookie Team