Foul Territory: Breaking Down MLB Rookie of Year Favorites at Quarter Season Mark

This rookie class is one for the ages. The skillsets are elite and unique – hit tool kings, three-true-outcome sluggers, and super athletes.

Just over a quarter of the way through the season, the Foul Territory crew breaks down the current Rookie of the Year favorites in both leagues.

American League Rookie of Year Favorites

Kevin McGonigle – IF, Detroit Tigers (+170)

McGonigle has lived up to every ounce of the hype that followed him through the minors. He’s hitting .322 with a 2.0 fWAR – second highest among all rookie position players. He leads all MLB rookies in hits and doubles, and his .374 xwOBA ranks in the 85th percentile among all qualified hitters.

The Pennsylvania native signed an eight-year, $150 million-dollar extension just days into the season – a bet the Tigers are already winning. At 21 years old, he already looks like a cornerstone of Detroit’s lineup for years to come.

Munetaka Murakami – 1B, Chicago White Sox (+155)

FT host and White Sox legend AJ Pierzynski thinks this one is a lock if he keeps up his pace to eclipse 40 homers. The debate over international free agent eligibility will continue, but it’s hard to argue with what Murakami has done this season.

He’s a presence that has quickly become a must-watch at-bat. The Japanese masher leads all rookies in home runs (18), slugging percentage (.540), OPS (.920), and his fWAR sits at 1.8. He’s also drawn 30 walks – eighth-most in the majors. The catch: he’s struck out 76 times, which is why his WAR value slightly trails McGonigle, despite the gaudy power numbers.

Chase DeLauter – RF, Cleveland Guardians (+700)

It was a sizzling start and now a rough patch for DeLauter, sitting at .221, the OPS at .829, 5 HR and 15 RBIs. Hitting in front of Jose Ramirez should help shorten the tough times; pitchers still have to come to him, and when he’s locked in, he’s been making them pay.

National League Rookie of the Year Favorites

JJ Wetherholt – 2B, St. Louis Cardinals (+180)

It’s been a surprising year for the Cardinals as they have been far outpacing their preseason expectations. Wetherholt has been leading the charge as their table setter. He’s hit a wall in May, but the underlying elite defense (99th percentile OAA) and 2.1 fWAR still are best among all rookies. Breaking balls have been his kryptonite lately. If he rights it, he’s still the NL ROY favorite.

Sal Stewart – 1B/3B, Cincinnati Reds (+220)

Stewart stumbled earlier this month (9-for-60 at one point) but has roared back – including multi-hit performances in three of his last four games. He set a new Reds rookie home run record with 11 before June. His bat-to-ball ability is too good for a prolonged slump, and he profiles as a fixture in the heart of Cincinnati’s order for a long time.

Konnor Griffin – SS, Pittsburgh Pirates (+260)

The slow start is easy to overlook when you consider what Griffin represents. He’s hitting .278 with a .738 OPS, 3 homers, 20 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases through 43 games – and he’s been scorching in May (.343 BA in 17 games).

The 20-year-old has the upside to be the most iconic position player Pittsburgh has seen since Andrew McCutchen. The tools are real across the board, and it’s going to be a joy watching him blossom.