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 August.
;t=FlyccWF4SFOTOYwFpBagVA
Avg: .271
OBP: .334
SLG: .482
HR: 18
RBI: 57
2B: 19
K/BB: 109/28
WAR: 3.9
Julio Rodriguez has put his talent on display for the whole world to see. The 21-year-old has a legitimate chance to put together a 30-home run, 30 stolen base season. He is just 12 home runs and 9 stolen bases away from this 30/30 club. But he must get (and stay) healthy. He is currently on the IL with an injury that occurred while taking a swing just a few days ago. When he is able to return from the IL, he is going to be a main player in the Mariners push for the playoffs. He is one of the sole reasons that the Mariners went all in at the trade deadline, dealing away top prospects to improve their Major League club.
;t=FlyccWF4SFOTOYwFpBagVA
Avg: .252
OBP: .296
SLG: .447
HR: 14
RBI: 51
2B: 19
K/BB: 91/20
WAR: 1.0
Bobby Witt Jr was one of the preseason favorites to win the AL Rookie of the Year. And Witt has not disappointed. He has been one of the few bright spots on the Royals roster. The young star has brought an excitement to Kansas City that they haven’t had since their World Series contention years. The Royals just traded away two of their better players in Andrew Benintendi and Whit Merrifield. This leaves Bobby Witt Jr as one of the only productive pieces left on that roster. The rest of his 2022 season should be exciting and fun to watch.
;t=FlyccWF4SFOTOYwFpBagVA
Avg: .252
OBP: .298
SLG: .438
HR: 15
RBI: 38
2B: 11
K/BB: 84/17
WAR: 3.1
Jeremy Pena has been one of the better rookies in the American League for most of the season. He is a staple in the Astros lineup that has been one of the best lineups in the MLB. Pena finds himself in the Astros lineup every game as he continues to get better as the season progresses. He holds a pretty good WAR (3.1) for a rookie. One of his biggest flaws is his on-base percentage. He has a pretty respectable batting average (.252) but his OBP is just .040 higher than his average (.298). This shows that Pena is a good hitter, with true talent at the plate, but he lacks the maturity that is required among the leagues best.
I mean no disrespect to the other candidates when I say this, but Julio Rodriguez is the obvious AL Rookie of the Year. He has emerged as a potential superstar and put that potential on display at the Home Run Derby where he captured Americas eyes with his historic performance. Rodriguez is leading the Mariners into the playoffs, and he is doing things that are unheard of for a player of his age. The Mariners likely wouldn’t be in the position to make a playoff push without him. While he is on the IL with a wrist injury right now, the award is his and his to lose.
Check out our MLB page for more updates like 2022 MLB AL Rookie of the Year Rankings: August!
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Zach!
“From Our Haus to Yours”
Steven Kwan (CLE) is right there with Julio Rodriguez. Kwan leads Julio in BA (.299), OBP (.372), R (63), Triples (5), Dbl’s (19) and has walked (44) more than he has struck out (42). He also has (12) Stolen Bases and up until recently was batting at the bottom of the order (he is now lead-off). Julio is a higher profile player with more power, but leaving Kwan out of the discussion while entertaining Pena and Witt is disrespectful and laughable.
Apparently nobody watches Jose Miranda of the Twins who should be ranked second and closing in on 1st. July rookie of the month.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
