Luis Edu
After the first month of the 2022 MLB season, two names are beginning to sound strong for the National League and American League Rookie of the Year award.
It is still too early to think about individual accolades, but these first-year players have already shown they have what it takes to win an award that in previous years has gone to the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Álvarez.
MLB Rookie of the Year
National League – Seiya Suzuki
The Chicago Cubs’ Japanese Seiya Suzuki has adapted quickly to MLB, and his numbers rank him as the National League’s top rookie after the first month of action.
After his first 24 games in the Major Leagues, the 27-year-old outfielder has a .250 average and .365 OBP, with 4 home runs and 15 runs batted in.
It is important to add that the Asian player leads the National League rookies in runs batted in, doubles (6) and bases on balls (14).
American League – Joe Ryan
The 25-year-old pitcher is shining as the leader of the Minnesota Twins’ rotation, being something that automatically places him as a possible winner of the 2022 American League Rookie of the Year award.
Ryan has 5 appearances as a starter in the 2022 Major League Baseball campaign. He has a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, with an ERA of 1.63 and WHIP of 0.83. He also recorded 28 strikeouts in 27.2 innings of work.
Although the right-hander made his MLB debut last year, this season, he still maintains the rookie tag and seems determined to put together a performance that will slowly establish him as one of the best young pitchers in baseball.
Other first-year players who could soon lead the race for Rookie of the Year: Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners), Jeremy Pena (Houston Astros), and MacKenzie Gore (San Diego Padres).
