The case for each Rookie of the Year finalist
There were many great rookie campaigns in 2024, but only one player from each league will take home the Rookie of the Year Award.
This year, the American League finalists form an AL East trio, with Colton Cowser of the Orioles and a pair of Yankees — Luis Gil and Austin Wells — being named finalists. In the National League, Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ flamethrowing phenom, jumped out to frontrunner status early on, but the Jacksons — Merrill of the Padres and Chourio of the Brewers — closed the gap with sensational performances down the stretch.
Who will be named the 2024 Rookie of the Year in each league? Here’s a look at the case for each of the six Rookie of the Year candidates before the winners are announced Monday on MLB Network at 6 p.m. ET.
After not hitting a homer over 77 plate appearances during his first 26-game stint in the big leagues in 2023, Cowser’s power took a huge step forward during his ‘24 rookie campaign. His 24 home runs were tied with Merrill for most among MLB rookies and were eight more than any other AL rookie.
But Cowser did so much more than slug homers for the Orioles this past season. The 24-year-old hit 24 doubles (third among AL rookies) and three triples (seventh) while collecting 69 RBIs (third) and 77 runs scored (first). His .768 OPS was third among AL rookies.
A Gold Glove Award finalist in left field, Cowser began the year by playing impressive defense at all three outfield spots before settling in as the everyday starter in left. He ranked second among MLB left fielders with plus-8 Outs Above Average.
Cowser’s 4.0 fWAR was best among AL rookies, and his 3.1 bWAR tied for third with Gil, behind only Texas’ Wyatt Langford (3.9) and Boston’s Wilyer Abreu (3.5), neither of whom is a Rookie of the Year Award finalist.
“I’m on the Cowser Rookie of the Year bandwagon,” O’s manager Brandon Hyde said at his end-of-season press conference. “That’s a heck of a year.”
It certainly was, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Cowser follows in the footsteps of teammate Gunnar Henderson, the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year. It’d be the first time Baltimore has had consecutive recipients of the award. — Jake Rill
Gil showcased the promise of a frontline starting pitcher in the making, helping the Yankees cover for an early-season injury to ace Gerrit Cole by posting a 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts. In 151 2/3 innings, the 26-year-old permitted 104 hits and 77 walks while striking out 171, holding opponents to a .189/.297/.345 slash line.
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