TOP 20 ROOKIES

As baseball continues to get younger and younger, the importance of having impact rookies grows every year.

The Rays won 100 games and the American League East last year with rookies Randy Arozarena and Wander Franco leading their lineup and rookie lefthander Shane McClanahan fronting their rotation.

Astros righthander Luis Garcia and Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson played critical roles leading their teams to the playoffs, and Braves righthander Ian Anderson pitched to a 1.59 ERA in four postseason starts— including throwing five no-hit innings in his lone World Series start—to help lead the Braves to a World Series title.

That’s to say nothing of Reds second baseman Jonathan India, Marlins lefthander Trevor Rogers, Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and Tigers starters Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, all of whom excelled to provide the promise of better days ahead for their respective clubs.

Here are the top 20 rookies to watch in 2022, taking both talent and opportunity into account.

1 BOBBY WITT JR.

TEAM: ROYALS AGE: 21 POS: SS

Witt rampaged through Double-A and Triple-A in his first full minor league season and won BA’s Minor League Player of the Year