Sports Stats ‘on Tapp’ is a sports statistics blog published with a focus on stats that go beyond the numbers.

Norichika Aoki, Yakult Swallows (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Brewers 30-year-old rookie outfielder Norichika Aoki has had a solid first year in the majors after playing professional baseball in Japan. Aoki currently has a .280 batting average with five home runs and 21 RBI. He had a 15-game hitting streak earlier this season and tied a team record with four stolen bases in a game on June 24.

His rookie stats place him in the Top 5 in several rookie offensive categories, including hits, runs and stolen bases. Over the past 17 games, he has struggled at the plate, hitting only .215 since July 6. Whether or not he will receive significant support in the National League Rookie of the Year voting remains to be seen, but he has an uphill battle with other rookies like Washington’s Bryce Harper and Arizona pitcher Wade Miley getting the most buzz for their rookie seasons. Chicago Cubs rookie Anthony Rizzo is also getting some support since his call-up from the minors. Another National League rookie to watch as the season comes to a close? Milwaukee pitcher Mike Fiers.

In any case, Aoki has a chance to finish in the Top 5 in the voting for NL ROY. Brewers fans will remember that two players in the franchise have won the ROY Award: Pat Listach in 1992 in the American League, and Ryan Braun as National League ROY in 2007. All total, the team has had 12 players finish in the Top 5 of ROY voting since the franchise began in 1969.

Here’s a look at those dozen rookies who received Top 5 ROY votes.

Rookie of the Year Award winners

1992: Pat Listach, infielder

2007: Ryan Braun, outfielder

Rookie of the Year runner-up

1971: Bill Parsons, pitcher (Chris Chambliss won the award)

1973: Pedro Garcia, infielder (Al Bumbry won the award)

1978: Paul Molitor, infielder (Lou Whitaker won the award)

1985: Teddy Higuera, pitcher (Ozzie Guillen won the award)

2003: Scott Podsednik, outfielder (Dontrell Willis won the award)

Rookie of the Year third place

1973: Darrell Porter, catcher

1985: Ernie Riles, infielder

Rookie of the Year fourth place

1988: Don August, pitcher

1992: Cal Eldred, pitcher

Rookie of the Year fifth place

2009: Casey McGehee, infielder

Others Brewers players who received votes for the Rookie of the Year Award: Doug Henry (1991), Jose Valentin (1994), Steve Sparks (1995), Jeff D’Amico (1996), Alex Sanchez (2002), Rickie Weeks (2005), Prince Fielder (2006).

Since 1998 when the Brewers moved to the National League, the team has had only three players finish in the Top 5 of the league ROY voting: Podsednik, Braun and McGehee. The Atlanta Braves lead the league with nine first-year players who finished in the Top 5 in NL ROY voting since ’98. NL teams with the most rookies in the Top 5 for ROY voting since 1998:

9: Atlanta

8: Miami

7: Philadelphia

6: Cincinnati, Colorado, Pittsburgh

5: St. Louis, Houston

4: Arizona, Washington

3: Milwaukee, Chicago

2: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco

1: New York Mets

Follow Jerry on Twitter @StatsonTapp