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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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DENVER, CO – JULY 11: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of American League Futures Team stretches before a game against the National League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JULY 11: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of American League Futures Team stretches before a game against the National League Futures Team at Coors Field on July 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Power ranking 2: Spencer Torkelson, first base, Detroit Tigers

The top pick of the 2020 MLB draft is ready to show exactly why there has been plenty of excitement about his arrival in Detroit. Torkelson should be on display when the Tigers open the season on Friday at home against the Chicago White Sox.

Consider it a passing of the torch in Detroit as Miguel Cabrera, who has played first base for 12 of his 14 seasons with the Tigers, has not only said great things about Torkelson’s future in Detroit, but also symbolized the next generation taking the field for the Tigers in a “glove gesture.”

Torkelson slashed .267/.383/.552 with 30 home runs and 91 RBI across three levels of Detroit’s minor league affiliates last season, including 40 Triple-A games. He proved himself last season, and the Tigers are going to give him the chance to show his skills in Detroit in 2022.

Power ranking 1: Bobby Witt Jr., third base, Kansas City Royals

The top prospect in all of baseball, Witt Jr. starts the season at the top spot on our list. After making the Opening Day roster, Witt Jr. is expected to start 2022 as Kansas City’s third baseman. It’s part of a youth movement in Kansas City that has Royals fans believing they can return to glory in the division and more in the not-too-distant future.

"“He’s played exceptionally well,” Kansas City general manager J.J. Picollo said of Witt Jr. in this article. “There’s no doubt he’s performed well. … I don’t know if we can ever say a player doesn’t have anything left to prove — the great ones continue to get better. But he’s done a lot of really, really good things for the second year in a row in Spring Training.”"

Those “good things” the 21-year-old has done this spring include batting .406 in his first 32 at-bats and posting a 1.222 OPS with three home runs, eight RBI, and a pair of stolen bases.

dark. Next. Ranking the best and worst of 2022 Opening Day's matchups

Kansas City is expecting Witt Jr. to be one of the centerpieces of a rebirth for the franchise. If he performs as advertised, he’ll continue to stay on top of the power rankings for American League Rookie of the Year.

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