By Larry Rupp
Don’t look now, but the 2022 MLB season is going to be here sooner than you know it. Opening Day is on March 31 and teams are starting to fill out their rosters in an attempt to win a World Series title. Of course, those rosters will include a few new faces from the minor league level.
This year’s batch of rookies is full of players capable of coming in and making an immediate impact at the MLB level. Let’s take a look at the top three candidates to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, with all odds according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates (+300)
The Pirates have no shortage of talented prospects, but Oneil Cruz may be the most talented of all. The infielder originally acquired in a 2017 trade tore through the minor league system last season and even made his MLB debut in early October. Cruz gave the fans a taste of his skills by going 3 for 9 with a home run. He also ripped a single that came off the bat at 118.2 MPH, which was the 7th-hardest hit ball in the league in 2021.
Overall, Cruz slashed .310/.375/.594 with 62 runs scored, 17 home runs and 19 stolen bases across 68 games at Double-A and Triple-A last season. There’s no questioning the 23-year-old’s raw talent. He possesses above average speed and can take a pitcher deep at any time. If the Pirates coaching staff can polish out the edges, Cruz has the potential to break out in 2022.
ONEIL CRUZ JUST HIT HIS FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE HOME RUN!!! pic.twitter.com/PIMMswXDYl
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) October 3, 2021
Keibert Ruiz, Washington Nationals (+475)
Keibert Ruiz isn’t going to be your typical rookie of the year candidate. The 23-year-old catcher has played in an MLB game in each of the last four seasons, yet has still not graduated from rookie status with only 104 plate appearances to his name. He was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Washington Nationals at the 2021 trade deadline and appeared in 23 games with the team, racking up 2 home runs and 14 RBI.
There’s little doubt that Ruiz’s prior experience is going to come in handy in 2022. He is projected to start on Opening Day and knows how to put the ball in play. After all, Ruiz led all Triple-A catchers with a .993 OPS between his time with the Dodgers’ and Nationals’ affiliates. There’s a reason he is the No. 11 overall prospect in baseball and should not be overlooked in this race.
Keibert Ruiz goes deep to right to extend the @Nationals' lead. pic.twitter.com/L0MsrbXoq0
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 24, 2021
Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies (+800)
The Philadelphia Phillies barely missed out on the MLB Playoffs in 2021 and seem to be right on the cusp of becoming a legitimate contender. Adding dynamic shortstop Bryson Stott to the mix might just be the missing piece. The organization’s No. 2 prospect made a name for himself in the minor leagues last season by slashing .299/.390/.486 across three different levels (112 games played). Stott also racked up 71 runs scored, 16 home runs and 49 RBI.
The logjam in the infield may make it seem like Stott has no avenue to playing time this upcoming season, at least not right away. However, it is important to point out that veteran Didi Gregorious had a down season in 2021 both in the field and at the plate. All things considered, Stott’s ability to make contact could easily make him a household name by the end of the summer.
Bombs away!!💣 After hitting his first homer last night, Bryson Stott follows it up with a no doubter half way up the lawn! Be prepared @Phillies fans, the future is coming! @IronPigs pic.twitter.com/VBXBEFij5J
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) November 13, 2021
The rest of the top six is filled out by Sixto Sanchez of the Miami Marlins (+900), Hunter Greene of the Cincinnati Reds (+900) and Joey Bart of the San Francisco Giants (+1000).
Picture Credit: Minda Haas Kuhlmann
