The American League Rookie of the Year race has some interesting players on the list but seems to be getting close to being out of reach. With the top three odds going to players in the American League East, including two on the same team, this should be an interesting final six weeks of the season to determine who wins. Let’s take a deeper dive into who we should be backing right now.
Gunnar Henderson (-215)
Third baseman Gunnar Henderson has been doing well throughout his rookie season and having the full season definitely helps. He has been a good hitter with a .238/.322/.455 slash line with 19 home runs, 56 RBIs, 63 runs scored and six stolen bases on eight attempts. He needs to get back into gear as he has struggling since the All-Star Break.
He has committed nine errors this season so he has been doing well on the defensive side as he has played both shortstop and third base throughout the year. He won the June Rookie of the Moonth and does well. With Baltimore where they are in the standings, expect to see his continue to expand the gap.
Masataka Yoshida (+330)
Masataka Yoshida has been doing a great job at the plate as he has a .822 OPS with 12 home runs and 56 RBIs for the Boston Red Sox. He is posting a 119 OPS+ and batting .300 so far. The one thing that discredits him a bit is a fact that 41 of his 106 games have been as a designated hitter.
His .300 batting average is seventh in the American League and does a good job of hitting singles. He has the fewest errors as a left fielder with just three thus far. Yoshida could be a force but unless he adds some power in the last six weeks, he will struggle to get to the counting stats here.
Triston Casas (+350)
Another Boston Red Sox on the list here is first baseman Triston Casas and he is hitting well. He has a .256/.357/.488 slash line with 20 homers and 48 RBIs. His 124 OPS+ is doing well and he won the July AL Rookie of the Month Award. He has been patient at the plate as he is 10th in both walks (55) and on base percentage (.357). Casas is going to be the better Red Sox to back down the home stretch but it feels too little too late.
Tanner Bibee (+1500)
The only pitcher on the list is a longshot right now in Cleveland Guardians’ Tanner Bibee. He is pitching well as he is 9-2 with a 2.90 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 108.2 innings. His ERA+ of 141 is solid but he is allowing too many baserunners with 35 walks and 96 hits given up. Unless he goes on a tear where he is pitching like a Cy Young candidate to end the season, the odds are not good enough for him to be a factor.
