MLB power rankings: American League Rookie of the Year candidates
By Kevin Henry
With Major League Baseball’s Opening Day just around the corner, rosters are starting to take shape and fans are getting their first glimpses of which young players might make the biggest differences for their respective teams in 2022.
Of course, several of those young players will be in contention for Rookie of the Year consideration. This year’s rookies on the American League side are already providing excitement through their spring training highlights and have their fan bases salivating for what could be to come.
As the countdown to Opening Day continues, let’s look at these MLB power rankings to see which players are early favorites to win the American League Rookie of the Year crown.
Power ranking 5: Adley Rutschman, catcher, Baltimore Orioles
Rutschman will not start the season how he or the Orioles hoped as he has been ruled for Opening Day, both at the MLB and MiLB levels. It caps off what has been an injury-filled spring for Rutschman, who last took part in a spring game on March 11. Elbow pain was reported the next day and a triceps strain in his right arm was declared the next day. That has started what has turned into a wait-and-see approach for the prospect ranked second among MLB’s top prospects heading into the 2022 campaign.
When Rutschman returns to action and how quick he ascends to MLB action will determine exactly where he lands the next time these power rankings come out.