Camila Sosa
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz commands the list of top favorites to win the National League Rookie of the Year award in the 2022 MLB season, according to bookmaker Barstool Sportsbook.
The 23-year-old Dominican has a +375 chance of winning the award, followed by Japan’s Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs with +400, and in third place is Venezuelan catcher Keibert Ruiz of the Washington Nationals.
These are other favorite Latinos in betting for the award given to the best freshman: Sixto Sanchez and Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins, Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants, and Luis Campusano of the San Diego Padres.
In the 2021 edition of this award, Jonathan India of the Cincinnati Reds and Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays took the awards in the National League and American League, respectively.
India finished the 2021 regular round with 21 home runs, 69 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. While Arozarena finished with a line of 20 home runs, 69 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
Oneil Cruz Minor League Numbers
The Dominican shortstop will have his big break to play every day in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates after posting outstanding numbers in the minor leagues.
In the 2021 campaign, combining Double-A and Triple-A, Cruz posted a .310 average and an OBP of .375, with 17 home runs and 47 RBIs. In addition, he added 19 stolen bases.
Beyond the good performance that the young Caribbean baseball player can register in 2022, it will be very difficult for the Pittsburgh Pirates to compete in the forever-strong Central Division of the National League.
