2022 MLB AL Rookie of the Year Rankings: September

The MLB Rookie of the Year award is given out to the best performing first year player from each league at the end of every regular season. The American League features a few guys who have shown the potential of being future superstars. Here are the AL Rookie of the Year rankings for September.

Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners

Avg: .266

OBP: .327

SLG: .473

HR: 22

RBI: 66

2B: 21

K/BB: 132/34

WAR: 4.7

Julio Rodriguez has been the favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award since before the All-Star Break and Home Run Derby, in which he was incredibly impressive. He has been incredibly productive at the plate, electrifying on the bases, and reliable in the outfield. His 4.7 WAR ranks first among the AL rookies, by a pretty large margin. WAR is one of, if not the most telling statistic when it comes to a player’s ability and their positive effect on their team. Rodriguez is the runaway leader in that category.

Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles

Avg: .244

OBP: .355

SLG: .425

HR: 8

RBI: 26

2B: 26

K/BB: 59/47

WAR: 3.6

Adley Rutschman wasn’t much of a threat to win this award at the midway point of the season. But that’s why the MLB plays a full 162 games. Because just a short few months later, Rutschman has thrown himself right in the mix of the AL Rookie of the Year race. He has been an offensive and defensive anchor on one of the most surprising teams in the MLB. Adley has shown a maturity at the plate that is well beyond his years, resulting in just 59 strikeouts and 47 walks. His .355 OBP tells a much better story for the player that he is than his .244 batting average does. Rutschman has been incredible.

Bobby Witt Jr, SS, Kansas City Royals

Avg: .248

OBP: .289

SLG: .440

HR: 20

RBI: 66

2B: 22

K/BB: 113/23

WAR: 0.5

Bobby Witt Jr has been a staple in these AL Rookie of the Year Rankings, but he has yet to be the leader of the 3 candidates. He joined the 20/20 club, swiping 20 stolen bases and hitting 20 home runs. This makes him just the 5th first year player to join this club in the history of Major League Baseball. To go along with that, he has been a reliable defender as well as hitting 22 doubles so far. He needs to improve with his maturity at the plate, which would cut down on the strikeouts and increase his subpar OBP. Bobby Witt Jr is obviously a work in progress, but he is a really, REALLY good work in progress.

Prediction: Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners

Although Adley Rutschman has made this a two-man race, the award still belongs to Rodriguez. But the race isn’t completely over. There is still a possibility that Julio Rodriguez will stumble and struggle down the stretch and lose the award. But that is exactly what it is: Rodriguez’s award to lose. He has a sizable lead over Adley in all of the counting stats and has over a 1.0 WAR lead as well. Julio Rodriguez has been magnificent this year and that is unlikely to change. He should be the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year.

Check out our MLB page for more updates like 2022 MLB AL Rookie of the Year Rankings: August!

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