The AL Rookie of the Year race looks STACKED early
Young standouts starting strong — or starting to pick it up. Under-the-radar players off to excellent starts. Top prospects waiting for their turn. It’s (very) early, but the American League Rookie of the Year race has EVERYTHING.
Roughly four weeks into 2025, there’s no clear-cut favorite to bring home AL ROY this season, but there’s certainly no shortage of contenders. With the AL’s top rookies generally outperforming their NL counterparts so far this season, it’s worth a look at who might take home the award.
Here’s how the AL Rookie of the Year field is shaping up early in 2025.
Kristian Campbell, Red Sox
MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 overall prospect didn’t have the best Spring Training, but his regular-season production sure shows why the Red Sox included him on their Opening Day roster (and handed him an eight-year, $60 million extension). Campbell owns a .316/.418/.500 slash line with three homers and a stolen base, playing primarily second base but also seeing time in left and center field. Campbell has shown patience, power and contact at the plate so far in 2025, and his 0.8 WAR was second among rookies entering Monday.
Jackson Jobe, Tigers
In a starting role for the first time as a Major Leaguer, Jobe has been a welcome addition to the Detroit rotation. Walks have been a problem (he has 10 in 20 innings pitched), but the dynamic right-hander has a 2.70 ERA in his first four starts. Opponents are batting just 2-for-19 against Jobe’s slider, and his sinker and curveball have also been plus pitches. MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 overall prospect is here to stay, and that’s a welcome sight for Tigers fans.
Jacob Wilson, Athletics
A left hamstring strain suffered in his Major League debut cost Wilson much of 2024, but the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 Draft is back with a vengeance this spring. The A’s shortstop just hasn’t stopped hitting, batting .354 with six doubles and 10 RBIs through his first 21 games while manning a premier position. Sure, Wilson has yet to draw a walk in 2025, but he still leads all rookies in WAR.
