2023 MLB rookies are making an impact already in different ways after eight weeks of baseball. In the American League, there are some clear favorites including Japanese import Masataka Yoshida. He has been a star for the Boston Red Sox, but two other players are right behind him in terms of performance. Meanwhile, the National League has one potential frontrunner from Arizona. It’s still early, but anything can happen moving forward.
This is our first edition of the 2023 MLB Rookie of the Year race. It will be updated each month until the end of the regular season.
Early 2023 MLB Rookie of the Year Favorites
Editors note: All stats are from June 2, 2023
American League
Masataka Yoshida
Stats: .312/.389/.500, 58 H, 7 HR, 31 R, 31 RBI, 3 SB, 138 OPS+, 1.1 bWAR
Yoshida has had the hype since the World Baseball Classic, which continues to be the case. Yet, he doesn’t play like a rookie, as he’s looking more adjusted to life in the majors. The 29-year-old currently ranks third in the American League with a .312 batting average. He even has the same amount of walks as strikeouts, with 21. However, his -3 DRS in left field undermined his overall value. Regardless, if he continues to develop his game as the season progresses, he can emerge as the best rookie in the American League.
Hunter Brown
Stats: 5-3, 3.61 ERA, 11 G, 11 GS, 62 1/3 innings, 74 SO, 1.235 WHIP, 0.9 bWAR
Brown made some noise after a brief September call-up last season. The right-hander posted a 0.89 ERA in 20 1/3 innings, good enough to make the Houston Astros playoff roster. With the departure of Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. out with an injury, Brown has made an impact since joining the rotation as the No. 3 starter. He leads all AL rookies with 62 1/3 innings and 74 strikeouts. In May, he steadied the ship with 27 strikeouts with three walks in his last three starts.
Josh Jung
Stats: .290/.336/.524, 61 H, 12 HR, 37 RBI, 40 R, 1 SB, 135 OPS+, 1.9 bWAR
Jung hits for power as he keeps on hitting and hitting. He’s already amassed ten home runs and 35 RBI thanks to his incredible batting line for an improved Texas Rangers team. Jung leads all American League rookies in slugging percentage, total bases, extra-base hits, and runs. He’s tied for home runs, RBI and finished second in average and OPS (.917). He’s the fourth rookie in team history to record 60 bases or more in a month, joining Adolis García, Chris Davis, and Ruben Sierra. The 25-year-old capped off May on a 14-game hitting streak.
National League
Corbin Carroll
Stats: .288/.374/.888, 55 H, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 37 R, 16 SB, 143 OPS+, 2.1 bWAR
Of the 2023 MLB Rookies, Carroll has done a little bit of everything for the up-and-coming Arizona Diamondbacks. With a .282/.369/.503 line, the No.2 prospect on MLB.com has a solid command of the strike zone. He also has 14 steals in 16 attempts (99th percentile in sprint speed) with nine home runs and 24 RBI, good enough for a 143 OPS+. Carroll also ranks in the 93rd percentile in outs above average.
Francisco Álvarez
Stats: .246/.361/.509, 28 H, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 14 R, 121 OPS+, 1.0 bWAR
Álvarez started the season in Triple-A Syracuse to give him time to develop his game defensively. After being recalled from the minors, the 21-year-old struggled a bit. But he has become one of the hottest young hitters over the month. From May 16-30, he slashed 3.24/375/.784 with an astounding 1.159 OPS+. Plus, he hit five home runs for 12 hits and 13 RBI in 40 plate appearances. He’s hitting .353/.405/.853 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 37 plate appearances.
Spencer Steer
Stats: .286/.363/.495, 59 H, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 30 R, 2 SB, 123 OPS+, 0.9 bWAR
Joey Votto’s absence opened the door for Steer to take over as the Cincinnati Reds‘ first baseman. Despite being a third-round draft pick and the Minnesota Twins trading him, Steer finished May on an excellent. He hit six home runs, eight doubles, and 19 RBI courtesy of a .318 batting average. A year after hitting a combined 23 home runs in two minor league levels, he’s hit eight home runs in 2023. Steer is the type of hitter the Reds can rely on in their lineup, who can anchor the middle of the lineup sooner than later.
Other Notable 2023 MLB Rookies: Bryce Miller, Kodai Senga, Gunnar Henderson, James Outman, Tanner Bibee, Esteury Ruiz
Photo Credit: © Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Masataka Yoshida, Hunter Brown, Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., Josh Jung, Adolis García, Chris Davis, Corbin Carroll, Francisco Álvarez, Spencer Steer, Joey Votto, Bryce Miller, Kodai Senga, Gunnar Henderson, James Outman, Tanner Bibee, Esteury Ruiz
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