With spring training nearly here, I reached out to all 30 front offices to find out who they believe are the top Rookie of the Year candidates in the American League and National League. Here’s how the rookie field stacks up in my view, after getting input from around the league.
To be clear, these are not necessarily the top prospects in the game; rather, it’s a rundown of players who have a shot at making their major-league team out of spring training or during the first few months of the regular season, with at least the potential to win the award. This list is not ordered by talent or prospect value. Again, it’s simply a ranking of the players with the best chances to win a Rookie of the Year award.
Among other factors, I took into consideration the players who are blocking these rookies in the majors, executives who are normally slow — or quick — to promote to the big leagues, and players who might need more development time before reaching The Show.
Here is my ranking of the top 30 Rookie of the Year candidates for 2025 with spring training almost underway.
Jackson Jobe made his major-league debut last September. (Lon Horwedel / Imagn Images)
1. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers
Age: 22
Height: 6-2 Weight: 190
Jobe is the second-best pitching prospect in baseball behind Roki Sasaki, but the 2021 first-round pick has an easier path to a rotation spot this year and should not face the significant innings limits the Japanese star could have with Los Angeles. He’s also expected to be part of a five-man rotation with the Tigers, as opposed to a six-man rotation with the Dodgers, and appears to be slightly ahead of Sasaki from a development perspective. Jobe has a high-90s fastball, a wipeout slider, a plus-plus changeup and a plus-plus cutter. He should be Detroit’s third-best starter this season, behind Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, and has the potential to win a Cy Young Award someday.
2. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals
Age: 22
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 5-11 Weight: 203
Crews begins this year as arguably the NL’s top rookie position player. He hit .218/.288/.353 in 119 at-bats last season in the majors after slashing .270/.342/.451 between Double A and Triple A. He was the second-overall pick in 2023 and the first of four outfielders (Crews, Max Clark, Wyatt Langford, Walker Jenkins) selected near the top of that draft, which generated a lot of debate about who would be the best player long term. It’s far too early to tell, but Crews profiles as a future 20-home run hitter with 20-stolen base potential and should be an above-average defender in right field.
3. Roki Sasaki, RHP, Dodgers
Age: 23
Height: 6-2 Weight: 187
Most evaluators consider Sasaki the best pitching prospect in baseball, but he’s not a finished product like Yu Darvish, Yamamoto Yoshinobu, Masahiro Tanaka and Shohei Ohtani were when they made the jump from Japan to the United States. Instead, Sasaki is probably a year or two away from reaching his incredible ceiling. He’s expected to be part of a six-man rotation this season with the Dodgers, who will be careful with how deep he pitches into games and how many innings he throws overall. Still, he needs to be near the top of this list. His talent screams future Cy Young winner.
4. Jasson Domínguez, OF, Yankees
Age: 21
Bats: B Throws: R
Height: 5-9 Weight: 190
Domínguez has a clear path to being the Yankees’ starting left fielder out of spring training. He battled injuries the past two years and struggled when he eventually got his chance in the big leagues last season, hitting .179 over 18 games and making several defensive mistakes in the outfield. An athletic switch hitter with power, Domínguez has the talent and his opportunity. Now, he just has to deliver to keep his job in left field and potentially make a run at the AL Rookie of the Year award.
5. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers
Age: 25
Height: 6-5 Weight: 245
Rocker is healthy and ready to compete in spring training for a spot in the Rangers’ rotation, but it won’t be easy: Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle are finally healthy and ready to take two rotation places; Texas re-signed Nathan Eovaldi; Jon Gray is prepared to eat innings; and Cody Bradford, who started to break out last year before dealing with injuries, is healthy and the only lefty in their rotation. However, Rocker, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, has the talent to make a strong case to beat out someone. Last season, he posted a 1.96 ERA with 55 strikeouts and only five walks over 36 2/3 innings across three minor-league levels. The Rangers gave him three starts at the end of the season and he looked sharp despite going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA.
6. Matt Shaw, 3B, Cubs
Age: 23
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 5-9 Weight: 185
The Cubs traded away their starting third baseman, Isaac Paredes, to Houston to acquire Kyle Tucker, which created an opportunity for Shaw to win the third base job — unless they decide to sign free agent Alex Bregman instead. Shaw has a short, compact swing and is direct to the ball. Last year, between Double A and Triple A, he slashed .284/.379/.488 with 19 doubles, 21 home runs, 71 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. He grinds at-bats, has good bat-to-balls skills, and is mechanically and fundamentally sound in most aspects of his game.
7. Roman Anthony, RF, Red Sox
Age: 20
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-2 Weight: 200
Most analysts and evaluators believe Anthony is not only the best position player prospect in baseball, but also has the best hit tool among all prospects. Last year, he slashed .291/.396/.498 with 32 doubles, 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases between Double A and Triple A. However, it will be tough for the 20-year-old to beat out Boston’s projected outfield — Wilyer Abreu in right field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center and Jarren Duran in left field — so it’s more likely he starts the season at Triple A. If I thought he’d make the big-league team out of spring training, I would have put him second on this list.
8. Coby Mayo, 1B/3B, Orioles
Age: 23
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6-5 Weight: 230
Mayo can play either infield corner but first base is probably his best long-term position. He has legitimate 25- to 30-home run power. But on the Orioles, he’s currently blocked by Ryan Mountcastle at first base, Jordan Westburg at third base, and Ryan O’Hearn and Gary Sánchez at designated hitter; therefore, it will likely take an injury, a trade, or subpar performance from another player for Mayo to get his opportunity. (He had 41 at-bats in the majors last season.) The Orioles could use him as trade bait at some point to acquire more starting pitching.
9. Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies
Age: 23
Height: 6-2 Weight: 200
Dollander is arguably the fourth-best starting pitching prospect in the game, behind Sasaki, Jobe, and Andrew Painter of the Phillies. However, like Jobe, he has a clear path to win a rotation spot out of spring training. Last year, he posted a 2.59 ERA with 169 strikeouts and 47 walks in 118 innings between High A and Double A. A first-round pick (ninth overall) in 2023, Dollander has the best stuff of anyone in the Rockies’ rotation and profiles as the future ace of their staff.
Kristian Campbell posted a .997 OPS last season in the minors. (Jonathan Tenca / Cal Sport Media / Associated Press)
10. Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF, Red Sox
Age: 22
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6-3 Weight: 210
I just love Campbell’s bat. He wasn’t high on my radar until last year, when he made my heart stop and palms sweat and I had to cover my ears because of his loud sweet-spot contact. This dude can really rake. Last season, he slashed .330/.439/.558 with 32 doubles, 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases across High A, Double A and Triple A. I’m not sure if he’ll end up at second base or in the outfield, or if the Red Sox will even give him a chance to make the team out of spring training, but the bat is going to play. I hadn’t really heard much about Campbell, a fourth-round pick in 2023, until I saw him last year while watching a random Double-A game and eating a lobster roll at the Sea Dogs’ stadium in Portland, Maine. He did look a little awkward defensively, but scouts I’ve talked with think he’ll be at least adequate at second base.
11. Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics
Age: 22
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6-2 Weight: 190
A first-round pick (sixth overall) in 2023, Wilson slashed .433/.474/.668 last year with 28 doubles and seven home runs in 226 plate appearances across three minor-league levels. The Athletics called him up to the majors in late August and he hit a respectable .250 (23-for-92) the rest of the way. He’ll be given every opportunity to win the A’s starting shortstop job in spring training.
12. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates
Age: 22
Height: 6-2 Weight: 200
Chandler will have a chance to compete for a spot in the Pirates’ rotation if he shows he’s ready in spring training. Last year, he posted a 3.08 ERA over 23 starts and three relief appearances between Double A and Triple A. He struck out 148 and walked 41 in 119 2/3 innings. He throws a high-90s fastball, a nasty slider, a plus changeup and an average curveball. His control and command will be key this spring in determining whether he’s major-league ready or needs more seasoning.
13. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies
Age: 21
Height: 6-7 Weight: 215
Painter is arguably the third-best pitching prospect in baseball behind Sasaki and Jobe, but Philadelphia will limit his innings this year and he has some traffic in front of him at the major-league level. The Phillies’ Opening Day rotation is expected to be Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo, with Taijuan Walker and others also competing for innings. Painter returned from Tommy John surgery to pitch in the Arizona Fall League last year, posting a 2.30 ERA over 15 2/3 innings. Aside from one spring training outing two years ago, he’d last pitched competitively in 2022. The Phillies have said he likely won’t make his major-league debut until midseason, but he could get the call sooner if there’s an injury, trade or subpar performance by one of the other starters.
14. Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP, Orioles
Age: 35
Height: 6-1 Weight: 200
If you’re asking why a 35-year-old who has pitched 12 years of pro ball in Japan is on this list, it’s because the ROY eligibility rules don’t count service time outside MLB, like they should, so he is considered a rookie. Regardless, Sugano can really pitch. He went 15-3 with a 1.78 ERA last season with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League. He’s gone 136-74 with a 2.43 ERA over more than 1,850 innings in NPB. He pitches to contact, striking out only six batters per nine innings, but basically doesn’t walk anyone, averaging less than one walk per nine innings last year. He can add, subtract, change shapes and sizes, and he puts the ball where he wants it. Will it work against MLB hitters? Only time will tell. He profiles more as a back-of-the-rotation starter at this point in his career.
15. Rhett Lowder, RHP, Reds
Age: 22
Height: 6-2 Weight: 202
Last year, Lowder logged a 3.73 ERA over 22 starts across three minor-league levels. He averaged 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.0 walks per nine. He made his major-league debut in late August and went on to post a 1.17 ERA over six starts (30 2/3 innings) for Cincinnati. A first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2023, Lowder faces difficult competition in the Reds’ rotation with Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez and Graham Ashcraft all in the mix, but he has a shot to win the fifth spot out of spring training; if not, he’ll probably be “next man up” when there is an injury or a starter underperforms.
Jordan Lawlar could be a sleeper in the NL Rookie of the Year race. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
16. Jordan Lawlar, 3B, Diamondbacks
Age: 22
Height: 6-1 Weight: 190
Lawlar’s career has been hampered by injuries, which have limited his playing time to 230 minor-league games over four seasons and just 14 regular-season minor-league games in 2023. However, I still think he’s a future 20-home run, 30-stolen base, left-side-of-the-diamond infielder with plus range to both sides. He’s currently blocked in the majors at shortstop by Geraldo Perdomo and at third base by Eugenio Suárez. However, the Diamondbacks could always move Suárez to DH or have him platoon at first base and DH with the newly acquired Josh Naylor, which would open up third base for Lawlar. It might be tough for Lawlar to make the Opening Day roster, but if he can stay healthy and get off to a good start, he could be a real sleeper in the NL Rookie of the Year race. I like his instincts, work ethic and baseball IQ.
17. Christian Moore, 2B, Angels
Age: 22
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6-1 Weight: 210
Moore was the eighth-overall pick in last year’s draft. He hit 34 home runs for Tennessee last season and then walloped six more after signing with the Angels, slashing .347/.400/.584 in 110 plate appearances, mostly at Double A. General manager Perry Minasian is not afraid to call up top prospects and develop them in the majors, like he did with first baseman Nolan Schanuel and shortstop Zach Neto. Moore profiles as the Angels’ long-term solution at second base and has the makeup to handle himself in the big leagues, even if he’s not baseball-ready for it.
18. Cam Smith, 3B/LF, Astros
Age: 21
Bats: R Throws: R
Height 6-3 Weight: 224
Smith was the prospect headliner in the four-player trade that sent Kyle Tucker to the Cubs. He was the 14th-overall player selected in last year’s draft. Houston GM Dana Brown, like Minasian of the Angels, is not afraid to push talented young prospects and the Astros believe Smith is close to being able to contribute in the majors. With Isaac Paredes at third base, Smith will most likely end up in left field for Houston. The Astros believe he’s a future .300 hitter with 20-plus-home run power.
19. Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians
Age: 23
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 6-3 Weight: 235
Multiple injuries have curtailed DeLauter’s development, including a broken foot, turf toe and a hamstring strain last season. When healthy, he’s demonstrated an elite hit tool, something the Guardians could use at the major-league level after trading Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks in the offseason. DeLauter was limited to 39 games across three levels last season but slashed .261/.342/.500 with 10 doubles and eight home runs in just 142 at-bats. He’s a pure hitter who draws walks and puts the ball in play. At this point in his career, he has more batting practice power than game power, but I believe the game power will come with more reps.
20. Juan Brito, 2B, Guardians
Age: 23
Bats: B Throws: R
Height: 6-0 Weight: 202
It appears the Guardians are heading to spring training with the idea that Brito will replace Andrés Giménez, who was traded to Toronto, at second base. Their long-term plan is for Travis Bazzana to play second, but they will take their time developing him and won’t rush him to the majors. Bazzana will probably reach the big leagues this year, but it might not be until the second half of the season. Therefore, Brito actually has a better chance to be in the Rookie of the Year conversation than Bazzana, the first-overall pick in the 2024 draft. Last season in Triple A, Brito batted .256/.365/.443 with 40 doubles, 21 home runs and 13 stolen bases. An interesting player who I’m eager to see this spring.
Brandon Sproat started last season at High A and finished the year at Triple A. (Jim Rassol / Imagn Images)
21. Brandon Sproat, RHP, Mets
Age: 24
Height: 6-3 Weight: 215
Considered the top pitching prospect in the Mets organization, Sproat has a high-90s fastball, deceptive changeup, plus slider/cutter combination (one that sweeps and one that’s hard), and also mixes in an occasional curveball. He flew through the Mets’ farm system last year, going 7-4 with a 3.40 ERA over 23 starts and one relief appearance, striking out 131 in 116 1/3 innings.
22. Zebby Matthews, RHP, Twins
Age: 24
Height: 6-5 Weight: 225
Matthews posted a 2.60 ERA last season over 97 innings across High A, Double A and Triple A. He had 114 strikeouts and only seven walks, showing off incredible command and control in the strike zone. The Twins promoted the former eighth-round pick to the majors in August and he struggled, going 1-4 with a 6.69 ERA over nine starts and yielding 51 hits in 37 2/3 innings.
23. Hyeseong Kim, 2B, Dodgers
Age: 26
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 5-10 Weight: 178
The Dodgers signed Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract with a two-year club option. He’s played for the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization the past six seasons. Last year in the KBO, he slashed .326/.383/.458 with 26 doubles, 11 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 36 attempts. The Dodgers have told me that Kim will compete with outfielders Andy Pages and James Outman for the final lineup spot, and if he wins it, he’ll be their second baseman; otherwise he could end up in a utility role.
24. Will Wagner, 2B/DH, Blue Jays
Age: 26
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 5-11 Weight: 210
The Blue Jays acquired Wagner as part of the deal that sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros at last year’s trade deadline. Wagner slashed .315/.432/.444 with 14 doubles and 57 runs scored in Triple A last season. He played 24 games in the majors with Toronto and batted .305, going 25-for-82. I’m not sure where the Jays could play Wagner after acquiring Gold Glover Andrés Giménez from the Guardians this offseason, but perhaps they would consider DHing him.
Chandler Simpson, pictured during the WBSC Premier12 tournament, has 206 stolen bases in 233 career minor-league games. (Gene Wang / Getty Images)
25. Chandler Simpson, 2B/OF, Rays
Age: 24
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 5-11 Weight: 172
Do you want a real long shot, dark horse for AL Rookie of the Year? How about Sampson? He’s one of the fastest players in baseball. Last year between High A and Double A, he hit .355, reached base at a 41 percent clip and had an amazing 104 stolen bases in 121 attempts. I don’t know where the Rays would find playing time for him, but Sampson sure would be fun to watch at the bottom of their lineup with his game-changing speed.
26. Tyler Black, 1B/DH, Brewers
Age: 24
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-1 Weight: 205
A first-round pick in 2021, Black can play all four infield positions but doesn’t appear to have one where he’ll stick defensively, with DH or first base being his best options. He’s a bat with speed. Last year in Triple A, he slashed .258/.375/.429 with 14 doubles, 14 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 23 attempts. He has a .402 on-base percentage over 1,418 plate appearances in the minors and 93 career steals.
27. Cole Young, 2B, Mariners
Age: 21
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 5-10 Weight: 180
Young appeared to have a legitimate shot to be the Mariners’ starting second baseman out of spring training, but then they signed veteran infielders Jorge Polanco and Donovan Solano, which might make it tougher for him to make the big-league team in March. However, the front office is high on Young and believes he’ll eventually be Seattle’s second baseman. A first-round pick in 2022, Young hit .271/.369/.390 last year in Double A. He had 24 doubles, nine home runs, and 23 stolen bases in 34 attempts.
28. Colson Montgomery, SS/3B, White Sox
Age: 22
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-3 Weight: 224
Last year, Montgomery hit just .214 in Triple A with 21 doubles, 18 home runs and 63 RBIs. A first-round pick in 2021, Montgomery has to improve his hitting before he’s major-league-ready; his 164 strikeouts over 485 Triple-A at-bats are alarming. That said, he’s a career .376 on-base percentage player over 1,396 plate appearances in the minors.
29. Agustin Ramirez, C/1B/DH, Marlins
Age: 23
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6-0 Weight: 210
The Marlins are very high on Ramirez, whom they acquired from the Yankees as part of the trade for Jazz Chisholm Jr., and he does have a pathway to get regular at bats with Miami this year. He can play first, catcher or DH and his best tool is his bat. Last year between Double A and Triple A, he slashed .267/.358/.487 with 26 doubles, 25 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 24 attempts.
30. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins
Age: 21
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 5-11 Weight: 210
Rodriguez played in just 47 games last year due to a thumb injury that eventually required surgery, but he slashed .280/.459/.567 with 14 doubles and nine home runs in 209 plate appearances. He knows how to work a count, draw walks and reach base. (Rodriguez has a career .422 on-base percentage over 1,016 plate appearances.) He can play all three outfield positions. It’s unlikely he’ll make the big-league team out of spring training, but he’s a rookie to watch, especially given the Twins’ high-injury-risk roster.
(Top image: Jasson Domínguez: Rich Schultz / Getty Images; Dylan Crews: Randy Litzinger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
