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MLB power rankings: American League Rookie of the Year candidates

By Kevin Henry

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 26: Julio Rodgriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 26: Julio Rodgriguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Oct 8, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz (11) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning in game two of the 2021 ALDS at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz (11) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning in game two of the 2021 ALDS at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

Power ranking 4: Shane Baz, starting pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays

Baz will start the season on the injured list after undergoing minor elbow surgery and he is expected to start throwing again by mid-April. That will certainly start his campaign for Rookie of the Year off slowly. However, he showed last season after a September 20 call-up that he can make an impact on the MLB level, posting a 2.03 ERA in three regular-season starts that spanned 13.1 innings.

Opponents hit just .130 against him in those three starts. Can he keep up those kind of numbers over a full season?

Power ranking 3: Julio Rodriguez, outfielder, Seattle Mariners

Is there a prospect in all of MLB that has generated more buzz in spring training than the 21-year-old Rodriguez. He will break camp with the Mariners and is expected to be the team’s center fielder for much of the season.

Need a glimpse into why Seattle fans are ready for his debut?

On the surface, Rodriguez has the fanfare heading into the season and could well play a part in Seattle breaking its 20-season postseason drought this year. Those facts alone could push him up the power rankings for our next installment. And, if the Mariners start the season hot and the player nicknamed J-Rod plays a role in that surge in the standings, expect him to climb the charts.

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