Barely a month and a half into the MLB season, there are already some 2024 AL ROY candidates emerging. A large number of young players have made progress and have not let lack of experience hold them back.
It's becoming clear that the race for AL Rookie of the Year is going to be fun to watch.
Top 5 Rookie of the Year candidates in 2024
To be fair, it's still too early to tell if any of these talented youngsters will have one of the greatest junior seasons ever. But these players have a lot of promise and are starting to show it early in the 2024 season. Let's take a closer look at some of the top AL ROY candidates in 2024.
5. Jackson Holiday
For now, Jackson Holiday's chances as Rookie of the Year still depend on his prospects and potential. The Orioles called him up in April and he fell flat on his face, going 2-for-34 before being sent down. But he was hitting at triple-A level and the hype train was moving too fast in Baltimore to give him another chance at some point.
If he returns to the major leagues during the middle of the summer and pitches in the second half, his MLB legacy can't be taken away from the Rookie of the Year race.
4. Colton Cowser
Before the season, no one would have guessed that Colton Cowser would be Baltimore's top rookie of the year candidate over Holiday, but that's how things have gone so far.
He hit a pathetic .115 in his brief MLB appearance last season, only to hit the ground running in 2024. Cowser's batting average is a little high, but he was able to make up for that by hitting six homers and nine doubles while driving 20 runs over his first 37 games. This season.
If he can continue to produce these types of numbers for a first-place team, Cowser will have a strong case for Rookie of the Year honors.
3. Wilier Abreu
The Red Sox may be on to something with Wilyer Abreu becoming their starting right fielder. The performance of Abreu and surprise MVP candidate Tyler O'Neal has helped salvage Boston's season so far amid injuries to other key players.
Of course, Abreu hit .316 in his 76 at-bats last season, so his success this year isn't a complete surprise. The lack of power will make it difficult for Abreu to stand out. But he's hitting .282 with an OPS of .851 while showcasing some speed and hitting power, so he's definitely on ROY's radar.
2. Mason Miller
Being involved in Oakland will make it difficult for Mason Miller to get the attention he needs to win Rookie of the Year. However, his early-season performances were too good to ignore. Through his first 13 appearances, Miller has eight saves, a 1.10 ERA, and a 0.67 WHIP. He threw 16.1 innings in those 13 appearances and struck out an astonishing 33 batters while walking just four.
In other words, Miller is outpacing hitters as Oakland approaches. Typically, relief pitchers have a narrow path to the Rookie of the Year award, whether they play for a losing team or not. But if Miller continues to dominate opposing hitters, he could potentially become a major star and put himself in good position to win Rookie of the Year.
1. Evan Carter
After playing a key role for the Rangers during last year's postseason, Evan Carter had a prominent spot in the Rookie of the Year race before the start of the season.
People already knew who he was heading into the season and knew what he could do at the plate.
Carter's batting average has been down this year, starting to decline in May after a hot April. He's also dealing with a finger injury which is a bit concerning. But if he can get back on track, Carter has the kind of power that will make him stand out in the Rookie of the Year race and make him the obvious choice for the award.
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