I can’t remember the last time there have been this many exciting rookies in one season. So many that it’s hard to keep up with who’s doing what, and that’s why I’m here.
Every two weeks I’ll be releasing the “Rookie Report” where I’ll take a look through many rookies throughout Major League Baseball, and see how they are performing as the season goes on. I’m so excited for this, let’s dive in.
(All stats are from the morning of April 14)
AMERICAN LEAGUE:
Masataka Yoshida, Boston Red Sox
Yoshida is definitely off to a slow start to begin the season. I wouldn’t say I’m too worried yet, after all it’s only been 10 games into his MLB career, and we know he’ll get in the groove and get his .216 average up. Yoshida has shown great discipline at the plate, only striking out 3 times so far this season. Check out these stats:
99th percentile in strikeout rate
90th percentile in chase rate
87th percentile in walk rate
I think by the next Rookie Report comes around Red Sox fans will be much happier with how Yoshida is performing.
37 AB, .216 AVG, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .356 OBP, .324 SLG, .680 OPS, 2 SB
Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar was the most popular pick for AL Rookie of the Year prior to this season, and while he still is the favorite on some sportsbooks, he’s having a rough start to the season. His .147 batting average and .606 OPS is not what Baltimore wants out of their 21 year old rookie. His whiff rate and strikeout rate is a little concerning as he’s in the 3rd and 4th percentile in those categories. We’ll see what happens in two weeks but I hope Gunnar can make some adjustments soon.
37 AB, .162 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .354 OBP, .297 SLG, .651 OPS, 1 SB
Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees
Yeah, yeah, yeah, another rookie who isn’t having the best start to his first season. The Yankees shortstop is struggling offensively, only 6 hits in 38 at bats so far this season. Again, I want to make it clear I’m not too concerned about these rookie struggles just yet. I hope once Volpe gets another week or two of consistent at bats he’ll raise that .158 average, and I’m calling it now, he’ll get his first MLB home run as well.
38 AB, .158 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .256 OBP, .237 SLG, .493 OPS, 3 SB
Logan O’Hoppe, Los Angeles Angels
(Photo via MLB.com)
It’s about time I can talk about a rookie who is playing well! O’Hoppe is off to a hot start to this season, already launching 4 home runs on the year. Funny enough, his 4 home runs and 11 RBIs lead the Angels so far. In case you forgot the Angels have those Trout and Ohtani guys, decent ball players. What O’Hoppe has done so far is extremely impressive and I hope he keeps it up. (He was my preseason rookie of the year pick so I’m gonna look really smart when he wins it.
35 AB, .257 AVG, 4 HR, 11 RBI, .308 OBP, .629 SLG, .937 OPS, 0 SB
Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles
Grayson has only made two starts so far this season (and for his career). His first start he pitched very well, and his second start, not so much. Oddly enough his no so great start was against the Oakland A’s, so take that however you want. But in all seriousness we know the potential Rodriguez has, and I wouldn’t put too much stock into the not so pretty stat line because he has pitched better than a 6.75 ERA. Let him settle in and make a few more starts.
2 G, 9.1 IP, 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 11 Ks
Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox
Casas is struggling to start the 2023 season, posting a .132 average in 38 at bats so far. He spent 27 games in the majors in 2022, and his numbers last season were just slightly better than they are currently. Unlike in 2022, Casas has struggled to get on base this season, as his .190 OBP is almost half of what it was last season (.358 OBP). I keep repeating it but don’t put too much thought into this yet as these are both small sample sizes, but just keep an eye on it.
38 AB, .132 AVG, 2 HR, 7 RBI, .190 OBP, .342 SLG, .532 OPS, 0 SB
Josh Jung, Texas Rangers
The Rangers third baseman is another rookie off to a strong start to begin the year. Like Casas, Jung also got some time in the majors in 2022. However, unlike Casas, Jung’s numbers this season are significantly better than last season. Jung’s strikeout and walk rates have improved, and he’s got a hit in every game so far except for 3. I’m loving what I see out of Jung so far.
42 AB, .286 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .348 OBP, .476 SLG, .824 OPS, 0 SB
NATIONAL LEAGUE:
Jordan Walker, St Louis Cardinals
(Photo via CBS Sports)
It’s safe to say Jordan Walker’s MLB career has started off pretty well. This has been a dream start for Walker as he’s now in the history books as the youngest player in MLB history to begin their career on a 12-game hitting streak. Of course his streak ended on Thursday, I guess he had to go hitless at some point, but Walker is the real deal and I can’t wait to see what he does the rest of the season. (Also my Rookie of the Year pick, no big deal)
51 ABs, .294 AVG, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .333 OBP, .451 SLG, .784 OPS, 1 SB
Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin Carroll came in as the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award in the NL, and I gotta say, I see why. Carroll is so much fun to watch, one of the fastest players in baseball, great defender in the outfield as well. I didn’t realize that he actually started last season in AA then ended up making his way all the way up to the Majors. The only concern so far is that he hasn’t gotten on base much, he hasn’t walked yet which is kinda crazy, but I’m not too worried, he’ll figure it out.
47 ABs, .255 AVG, 3 HR, 6 RBI, .271 OBP, .468 SLG, .739 OPS, 5 SB
Kodai Senga, New York Mets
(Photo via MLB.com)
I’ll be completely honest. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of Senga coming over here and pitching in MLB. You never know how foreign players will adapt to playing in MLB, but man i
t seems like Senga will be just fine. He’s only had two starts so far, both against the Marlins, and he’s looked great in both. Only 2 earned runs in 11.1 innings, and of course THAT GHOST FORK IS NASTY. I might say it… I could see him being a Rookie of the Year finalist, or even win the damn thing.
2 G, 11.1 IP, 2-0, 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 14 K
James Outman, Los Angeles Dodgers
I’m confused why not a lot of people are talking about James Outman’s start this season. He’s absolutely raking and I feel like he should be getting more attention than he is right now, ESPECIALLY being on the Dodgers. I made a video about this last week but whoever the Dodgers throw out there, somehow, someway, they turn into an All Star. Dodgers fans have to be thrilled about Outman’s start.
38 ABs, .289 AVG, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .438 OBP, .684 SLG, 1.122 OPS, 2 SB
Garrett Mitchell, Milwaukee Brewers
Mitchell is another rookie who has had a sneaky good start to this season. The Brewers are tied for the best record in the National League and Mitchell has played a big role in their success. I feel like Mitchell could be a dark horse to win the NL Rookie of the Year. You never know.
43 ABs, .279 AVG, 3 HR, 6 RBI, .326 OBP, .558 SLG, .884 OPS, 0 SB
Hayden Wesneski, Chicago Cubs
I was a huge Hayden Wesneski fan when he was with the Yankees organization so obviously I was a little disappointed when they traded him last season. Wesneski got some time in the majors last year with the Cubs and pitched to a 2.18 ERA in 33 innings. That definitely looks a little better than his current stat line. It’s only two starts in, this is a long season, and last season we saw how Wesneski can perform so I’m really not worried.
2 G, 6 IP, 0-0, 7.50 ERA, 2.83 WHIP, 4 K
Spencer Steer, Cincinnati Reds
Now THIS is the player who is not getting nearly enough attention for his start to his career. Realistically it’s probably because he’s playing for the Cincinnati Reds but that shouldn’t matter. The 25 year old third basemen is raking so far, and MORE PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF IT! Steer has put up impressive numbers the past few years in the minors as well so I’m glad to see him continuing to do it in the majors.
40 ABs, .325 AVG, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .413 OBP, .575 SLG, .988 OPS, 0 SB
Like I said earlier, I’ll write one of these every two weeks updating you on the rookies around Major League Baseball, so make sure to keep an eye out. I know I didn’t talk about every single rookie, and if I missed anyone significant please let me know! Who do you think are the current Rookie of the Years?