MLB’s rookies, as expected, have provided plenty of excitement this season. From clutch hits to stellar pitching performances, these greenhorns have made huge impacts on their respective teams.
With the All-Star break behind us, let’s take a look at the top ten MLB rookies and their seasons so far.
Where he’s dominant. Imanaga been a crucial part of the Cubs' rotation with a sub-3.00 ERA and impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Shota Imanaga has been nothing short of spectacular for the Chicago Cubs despite being one of the shortest LHPs in the league at 5’10”. His 2.97 ERA highlights his dominance on the mound. Being under 3.00 as a rookie is pretty impressive. Striking out 98 batters while only issuing 16 walks is amazing. There’s no wonder why he only has a 1.11 WHIP after 17 games.
Imanaga has become a key piece of the Cubs' rotation in his first year. His performance has put him in contention for both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards, though the former is still a ways off.
Where he’s dominant. He’s put the ball over the outfield fence 12 times this season, which has him tied for 2nd in the MLB.
Colton Cowser is tearing it up at the plate and the outfield grass for the Baltimore Orioles. With a solid slash line of .219/.306/.418 and a .724 OPS, Cowser is setting the standard for rookies offensively. He’s even going yard quite a bit in the 2024 season with 12 homers and plenty of extra-base hits. With a bat that hot, it’s no wonder that he’s become a staple in the Baltimore lineup. His defensive versatility across all outfield positions adds even more value to his game.
Where he’s dominant. Between his 12 dingers and 19 doubles, Busch consistently gets extra bases when he’s at the plate.
Michael Busch has been an absolute powerhouse for the Cubs. Tied with Cowser for homers at 12, he’s showing that he has the power and consistency to stay around in the league for a long time. He’ll only get better. Originally on the Dodgers, Busch had a nice slant at .271/.357/.466, which made him a regular on the base paths. On top of all of that, he’s 2nd only behind Wilyer Abreu for rookies with doubles at 19. Though, he’s only one good swing behind him.
Where he’s dominant. With 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases, this kid is an all-around threat.
Jackson Merrill has let his presence be known on the Padres despite being one of the younger rookies in the MLB. His .278/.310/.435 slash line is not bad by itself. Sure, that underscores his offensive abilities, while his defensive skills in center field have been equally impressive. Halfway through the season, he’s already showing that he’s got some wheels as he’s racked up 10 stolen bases. Merrill’s all-around game is already making waves in the majors and the sky’s the limit on this young phenom.
Impressive offensive and defensive skills, especially for one of the youngest players in the league.
Where he’s dominant. Ortiz shows patience at the plate with his rookie-leading 37 walks.
Joey Ortiz has been on fire heading into the ASG, becoming one of the hottest hitters among rookies. His .264/.369/.432 slash line with 15 extra-base hits and 7 home runs throughout the first half of the season demonstrates his offensive surge. Ortiz is quickly becoming a key player for the Brewers. His glove is hot, his bat is hot, and there’s plenty to get excited about with this rookie.
Where he’s dominant. He leads rookies with the most triples at 5 and near the top with doubles at 12; XBHs are where Wenceel really shines.
Wenceel Pérez has solidified his spot in the Tigers’ lineup as well as his spot on this list of rookies. Leading rookies with 5 triples and boasting a strong .314 on-base percentage, Pérez has become a consistent presence for Detroit. He’s also fairly impressive on the bases, with 7 steals to his name. He’s showing that he’s an all-around solid player that’s going to stick around for a few years.
Where he’s dominant. Incredible closer. 15 saves and a 0.86 WHIP, we might be seeing the next Sandman rising to prominence.
Mason Miller has emerged as a reliable reliever for the Athletics. With a rookie-best 15 saves, Miller’s ability to close out games has been crucial in the little success the Athletics have had this season. He’s done a fairly decent job at keeping runners off of the bases with his incredible 0.86 WHIP, which probably explains his 2.27 ERA. With 70 Ks over 39 innings pitched, this rookie reliever is going places.
Where he’s dominant. With his steals, XBHs, and his short 5’10” stature, he’s reminiscent of future HOFer Jose Altuve.
Wilyer Abreu has been a key contributor for the Red Sox due in part to his bat as well as his legs. Driving in 35 runs with 8 homers and leading rookies with 20 doubles, Abreu’s offensive output has been nothing short of impressive. His ability to produce in clutch situations stands out, and we see this rookie sticking around for years to come.
Where he’s dominant. He might not be the next Nolan Ryan, but he leads the rookies by a long shot with 118 strikeouts.
Luis Gil has returned from Tommy John surgery in 2023 to become a standout in the Yankees' rotation. Throughout the first half of the season, Gil has posted a 3.17 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP. Where he really shines is his ability to rack up the Ks. He has 118 strikeouts over 102 innings pitched.
Where he’s dominant. He’s a threat at the plate with 26 extra-base hits and in the field with a .974 fielding percentage.
Masyn Winn is holding his own with a solid .284/.332/.406 slant. On top of that, he’s near the top of the rookies with doubles at 18 and 3 triples. He’s also a threat on the base paths with 9 SBs through the All-Star break. As for his glove, he’s been a part of 61 double plays with a .974 FPCT.
These rookies have all had outstanding starts to their MLB careers, each making a name for themselves in different ways. As we head into the second half of the MLB season, we’re going to be watching these youngsters closely to see how they progress and what the futures of their careers looks like. We might just be watching history in the making.