The race for Rookie of the Year is becoming one of the most exciting storylines as we come into the final couple months of the MLB season. The competition seems a bit more fierce this year, with several young players vying for the honor.
Age: 24
Team: Baltimore Orioles
At the forefront of the Rookie of the Year conversation is Colton Cowser. This young star of the Baltimore Orioles has odds of -140, making him the favorite to take home the title. After you take a look at his impressive stats, you quickly see why that’s the case.
Cowser has been a force to be reckoned with for the O’s, showing off a blend of power and precision at the plate. His impressive stats in the minors, including a .298 batting average and 38 homers, have transitioned smoothly into his major league debut. In his first full season in the Big Show, he has already knocked 16 dingers and put up a .254 batting average. Cowser's ability to handle pressure and deliver in clutch situations makes him one of the best candidates for the coveted RoY.
His defensive skills and speed in the outfield add another layer to his game, making him a complete player who's hard to ignore in this race.
Age: 26
Team: New York Yankees
Luis Gil, SP for the NY Yankees, is another strong contender for the RoY. With odds at +250, he’s staying in the running, and each start seems to improve those odds.
Known for his electric arm and poise on the mound, Gil has made a name for himself with a series of impressive performances. Although he spends a considerable amount of time in the minors, he’s shown that he’s here to stay in MLB.
His fastball, consistently clocking in the upper 90s (his 4-seamer averages 96.8 mph), combined with a devastating slider, has baffled hitters. Those 2 pitches alone are a big reason he already has 132 strikeouts over 112.2 innings pitched. Gil’s control and composure are well beyond his years, which allows him to handle high-pressure situations with the calm of a seasoned veteran. The Yankees are going to need this arm if they’re going to go deep into the playoffs this year.
His ability to strike out batters at the right moments has been extremely important for the Yankees. As long as he keeps his walks under control and stays healthy for the remainder of the season, Gil has a solid shot at being named the Rookie of the Year.
Age: 22
Team: Texas Rangers
Wyatt Langford is another name to watch. In his first year with the Texas Rangers, he’s keeping up in the race for the RoY with +1400 odds. Langford has been turning heads with his versatile skill set and consistent performance at both the plate and on the field.
A powerful hitter with a knack for getting on base, he’s been a key player for the Rangers this season. He doesn’t show off power by going yard, but he tends to get more extra bases than the rest of the rookies at 26.
Langford's athleticism also shines when he’s in left field, where he has demonstrated the ability to cover more ground and make difficult plays look easy. His base-running skills add another dimension to his game. He already leads most rookies with 9 stolen bases, making him a valuable asset in multiple areas. He’s about as close as you can get to a five-tool player.
If he can continue to deliver at the plate and in the field, Langford will easily find himself in the mix for Rookie of the Year honors.
Age: 25
Team: New York Yankees
Another Yankee in the mix is Austin Wells, and when you look at what he’s done so far, it’s no surprise. He’s keeping up in the race with odds at +750.
Wells has been a revelation behind the plate and at bat, giving the Yankees solid offensive production and reliable defense. As a catcher, Wells has already shown great leadership and understanding of the game. He manages the Yankees’ pitching staff with maturity.
His left-handed bat brings a unique advantage as well with 19 extra base hits against righties. Basically, he has demonstrated the ability to hit for both power and average.
Wells’ consistent hitting and strong arm make him a dual threat. It’s exactly what the Yankees need if they’re going to build a team that constantly makes it to the playoffs.
His all-around game makes him a strong contender for the RoY award.
Age: 23
Team: Boston Red Sox
Ceddanne Rafaela is another exciting prospect in the Rookie of the Year race. The Red Sox center fielder currently holds +1600 odds for the race, which we think is a bit of an underrating. Rafaela’s impact on the Red Sox cannot be understated.
Known for his blazing speed and smooth defensive skills, Rafaela has been a key player in the Red Sox’s lineup. His quickness on the basepaths and ability to steal bases when they’re needed most make him a constant threat. He currently has 16 stolen bases, which put him near the top of all rookies.
Defensively, Rafaela has been nothing short of exceptional. He covers a lot of ground and makes highlight-reel plays on a regular basis. His bat has also been coming alive with 13 homers and a .708 OPS. Not bad when we’re talking rookies which is why we think his odds for the RoY should be a bit better than they are.
Age: 22
Team: Detroit Tigers
Finally, Colt Keith of the Detroit Tigers rounds out our list with odds at +1800. Keith has been a bright spot in the Tigers’ lineup and helped keep them in the wild card race all the way up to the trade deadline. His odds seem relatively long, but he did have a slow start to the season before really cranking it up in June and July.
With a strong build and quick bat speed, Keith has the potential to be a home run threat every time he steps to the plate. His offensive numbers have been impressive, with 11 homers and a .704 OPS. Keep in mind that 7 of those homers came in the last 30 days alone.
Keith’s defensive abilities at second base are also noteworthy. His quick hands and feet make him a versatile player capable of playing multiple positions.
While he might be considered a long shot compared to some of the other contenders, Keith’s power and potential make him a player to watch. Even if his early slump holds him back from winning the award, he’s going to go on to have a phenomenal career.
These rookies will continue to make their cases for the prestigious Rookie of the Year award.
Each player brings something unique to the table, from Colton Cowser’s all-around game to Luis Gil’s domination on the mound, Wyatt Langford’s versatility, Austin Wells’ leadership, Ceddanne Rafaela’s speed and defense, and Colt Keith’s power-hitting.
It’s a tough race to call, and anything can happen over the next few months. However, we’re assured that the future of Major League Baseball looks bright with these talented young players leading the way.