This week, we will take a look at some rookies around the league that have gotten off to hot starts. The rookie of the year award is up for grabs and many rookies are flashing their talent only a couple weeks into the season.
2024 MLB Rookie of the Year Watch
Jackson Chourio
Right fielder Jackson Chourio has had a strong start to the season batting .281, two home runs, and a stolen base through 32 at bats. The newly turned 20-year-old has looked the part so far and he is a guy with true 20-20 (20 home runs and stolen base in a year) potential. It will be interesting if he’ll be able to maintain the success he’s having as the league adjusts to him. The Brewers overall have had a nice start to the season so far with a 6-2 record.
Michael Busch
Michael Busch has been hot at the plate so far this season boasting a .320 average with five RBI’s and a home run through 25 at bats this season The 26-year-old was traded from the Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs in a trade during the offseason. The 2019 first round pick struggled with his time as a Dodger and so far the fresh start seems to be going well.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a brutal debut in his first start as a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, pitching only a single inning, giving up 5 runs. Yamamoto’s past two starts since then have been dominant as in 10 innings, he has had 14 strikeouts and hasn’t given up a run. The Dodgers are surely happy to see him settling in as they sign him to a record 12 years 325 million deal.
Shota Imanaga
Pitcher Shota Imanaga has been on a tear through his first two starts in the MLB recording 12 strikeouts and allowed no runs in 12 innings of work. The 30-year-old rookie dominated in his time overseas in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as he had 1021 strikeouts in 1002.2 innings of work (eight seasons). Imanaga and the Cubs began the year off strong with a 6-3 record.
Colton Cowser
Outfielder Colton Cowser has only had 15 at bats on a loaded Baltimore Orioles roster, but Cowser has used them well going 7-15 (467.) with 4 of those being extra base hits. After a rocky 2023 season where Cowser was 7-61 (115.), Cower seems to be figuring out the bigs so far during his 2024 campaign. There’s lots of season left so there’s plenty to see from Cowser and Ballimore
Curtis Mead
The Australian born third basemen Curtis Mead has had a nice start to the year going 7-24 (292 .) so fair in the 2024 season. Mead, like Cowser, is trying to find an everyday spot in the lineup. He hasn’t had an XBH yet, but he showed his pop in the 2023 clubbing 5 homers in 83 at bats in the 2023 season. An elbow injury derailed his 2023 season help Mead maintain his rookie eligibility.
Jackson Merrill
20-year-old outfielder Jackson Merrill cracked the opening day roster for the San Diego Padres which shocked many fans. Merrill’s scorching hot spring training where he hit 2 homers and had a 925. OPS in 42 at bats. The primary shortstop cracked the roster as the team’s opening day center fielder, and he hasn’t disappointed. Merrill so far is hitting 300. Through 40 at bats and has three extra base hits.
Jackson Holliday
The 20-year-old middle infielder just got the call up to bigs and he made his debut April. Jackson Holliday made it hard for the Orioles to keep him in the minors as he raked hitting .333. With a 1.077 OPS while also having more walks than strikeouts. Holiday having only 583 career at bats in the minors proved his readiness for the bigs. The Orioles show off their impressive farm system as the Orioles have 4 players in their lineup that were picked in the first round by them. Very impressive feat that the Orioles scouting team should be proud of.
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