How the Brewers' rookies stack up to the rest of the league

As we near the halfway mark of the 2025 MLB season, the National League Rookie of the Year race is starting to take shape. Atlanta Braves rookie catcher Drake Baldwin is putting together an impressive debut season and is currently the odds-on favorite to win the award, but the race is far from over. For the Milwaukee Brewers, Chad Patrick and Logan Henderson are making their own noise, and if circumstances break the right way, the Brewers could have a real contender down the stretch.

However, let’s still be honest, if the Rookie of the Year vote happened today, Baldwin's name would be etched on the trophy. According to ESPN, Baldwin is currently +325 to win the award, with Henderson at +850 and Patrick at +2000. Through 35 games, he’s slashing .324/.373/.510 with five home runs and 15 RBIs.

But baseball seasons are long, and there’s still time for others to enter the conversation. Patrick and Henderson are names worth watching. Both have flashed real NL Rookie of the Year potential. The talent is undeniable — and the path forward is at least interesting.

Can the Brewers make it a Rookie of the Year battle?

Patrick has quietly been one of the most consistent rookie pitchers in the league. Don’t let the 2–4 record fool you. His 2.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts show a pitcher who’s already comfortable handling big-league lineups. After dominating Triple-A last season—leading the International League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts — Patrick hasn’t skipped a beat. He’s gone from Triple-A ace to a MLB mainstay without much turbulence, and if he continues to pitch at this level, his name will be hard to ignore come award season.

Then there’s Logan Henderson, who was turning heads before a surprising demotion to Triple-A. In just four starts, he posted a 3–0 record with a sparkling 1.71 ERA and 29 strikeouts over 21 innings. Even more impressive, he became the first pitcher in Brewers history to record seven or more strikeouts in each of his first three career starts — something only nine other pitchers in MLB history have done. The only thing keeping him out of the ROY conversation right now is his time in the majors. But if the Brewers call him back up — and he pitches like he did before — he should absolutely re-enter the race.

While the Brewers’ duo continues to build their case, other rookies around the league are battling to keep pace with Baldwin. Dylan Crews has had a tough go in Washington. While his defense and athleticism are as advertised, a .196 average with seven home runs and 15 RBIs isn’t going to move the needle. He’s getting on base and swiping bags with 11 steals, but the bat needs to catch up if he wants to challenge for the award.

On the pitching side, Roki Sasaki arrived in Los Angeles with a ton of hype, and while his stuff is undeniably electric, the results have been a mixed bag. Through 34.1 innings, he’s 1–1 with a 4.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts. He’s still adjusting to MLB hitters and hasn’t quite found his rhythm yet, though the upside remains strong.

AJ Smith-Shawver in Atlanta is another interesting case. He’s started strong and has already flirted with a no-hitter — but an elbow strain has temporarily derailed his season. With a 3–2 record, 3.67 ERA, and 41 strikeouts in 41.2 innings, he looked like a solid dark horse before landing on the injured list.

So, that leaves us right where we started: Baldwin is the leader. His numbers, consistency, and impact make him the favorite — and it’s not particularly close. But Patrick is creeping into the picture and deserves some acknowledgment. Henderson has the potential to shake things up in a big way if Milwaukee brings him back and he continues his dominance. It’s shaping up to be a fascinating second half. And while the Brewers' rookies aren’t the frontrunners for the crown, they’re poised to make sure it doesn’t go unchallenged.