Top NL position player rookies of 2016

Every year, it seems like more and more young talent is making an impact at the Major League level. This season, 12 rookie position players have recorded at least one at-bat, with five of the 12 making their Major League debut this year. Although Astros' shortstop Carlos Correa didn't make his debut until Jun. 8 last year, he went on to win the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year award. It might be early, but here are the three position player rookies in the National League that are making the biggest impact so far in 2016.

1. Trevor Story – Shortstop – Colorado Rockies

Story burst onto the scene in April, hitting eight home runs in the first 13 games of his Major League career, a feat never accomplished in the modern era. His performance led him to be awarded NL Player of the Week honors for the week of Apr. 10, and NL Rookie of the Month for April. Although he has not kept up his torrid start, he has continued to impress at the plate as well as on defense. The 23-year-old is currently hitting .272 (49-for-180) and leads all rookies with 12 home runs, four triples and 31 RBIs. MLB.com’s projections project that Story will finish at 27 homers and 33 doubles. What is amazing about his numbers is that eight of his 12 homers have come away from the hitter-friendly Coors Field. He has performed so well, that it seems that the Rockies have no place for veteran shortstop Jose Reyes. If he keeps up the pace, Story will definitely be a front-runner for NL Rookie of the Year.

2. Aledmys Diaz – Shortstop – St. Louis Cardinals

Signed as a free agent on Mar. 9, 2014, Diaz was never a top prospect for the Cardinals. He had two decent Minor League seasons, most recently hitting .278 with 10 homers and 52 RBIs between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis in 2015. A Jhonny Peralta left thumb injury opened up a spot at short, and the rest was history. At first, the Cardinals seemed to have a void that could not be filled, but then Diaz took off. Diaz currently leads all rookies in batting average (.336), hits (50), doubles (15) and runs (29). Although he is tied for the most errors in baseball with 10, he has made up for it with his offense. Things may get tricky with Peralta set to come back soon, but Diaz is a versatile player that will find his way onto the field one way or another.

3. Brandon Drury – Right fielder – Arizona Diamondbacks

Drury, a 13^th round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2010, was one of the pieces acquired by Arizona in the deal that sent Justin Upton and Chris Johnson to Atlanta in 2013. He nearly made the D-backs 2015 Opening Day Roster, but was sent to Double-A Mobile for more seasoning. Between Mobile and Triple-A Reno, Drury hit .303 with five home runs and 40 doubles in 2015. He has always been a good hitter, possessing a quick swing that allows him to hit for a high average. This swing has been on display so far in 2016, with Drury sitting at a .300 average with seven homers and 15 RBIs. The power is continuing to develop, and with time, Drury could be a potential 20 homer threat.

Other notables:

Corey Seager (LAD): .269 average, seven home runs, 12 doubles and 23 RBIs.

Trayce Thompson (LAD): .290 average, seven home runs and 19 RBIs.