Shōta Imanaga, Colton Cowser headline MLB’s 10 best rookies

Just when it seems like Baltimore’s young core is deep enough, the former No. 5 draft pick rises to the show and becomes its top producer. Cowser has mashed from the left side, making a habit of going the other way and serving as the most formidable hitter in an offense that’s fifth in MLB in runs (104). Cowser and fellow rookie Jackson Holliday add a new flavor to an Orioles young core that’s just getting started.

3. SP Shōta Imanaga, Chicago Cubs

2024 stats: 0.00 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 15 IPs, 16 Ks, .158 batting average against

Imanaga has been better than advertised for the Cubs. In fact, he hasn’t even surrendered an earned run, while giving up just nine hits over his first three starts (yes, that’s accurate). The southpaw, who typically maxes out in the low 90s, has primarily relied on two pitches, throwing a four-seamer and occasionally deploying a split-fingered fastball. Imanaga has been Chicago’s best starter and a timely development in the wake of ace Justin Steele’s hamstring injury.

4. SP Jared Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates

2024 stats: 3.13 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 23 IPs, 32 Ks, .188 BAA

If the Pirates are going to make a jump this season, they need their starting rotation to pick up the pace; Jones is helping them do as such. The 22-year-old right-hander has been posting strikeouts at a high rate, leaning on his high 90s four-seamer and slider. Jones has been a youthful complement to the likes of Mitch Keller and Martín Pérez in Pittsburgh’s rotation.

5. CF Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres

2024 stats: .333/.405/.439, one HR, eight RBIs, eight BBs, four SBs, 142 OPS+

Merrill has been a breath of fresh air for a Padres team in need of a boost after trading star outfielder Juan Soto in the offseason. Still 20 years old (for one more day), he’s put the ball in play with ease, while making some noise on the basepaths. He’s also yet to make an error in center field, a position he’d previously never played at the professional level.

6. SP Max Meyer, Miami Marlins

2024 stats: 2.12 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 17 IPs, 14 Ks, .180 BAA

In what is his first extended stint at the big-league level, the former No. 3 pick has not only been impressive but integral to the Marlins’ rotation following a slew of injuries. While the Marlins have kept a short leash on the right-hander, Meyer has kept runners off the basepaths with a primary three-pitch arsenal (slider, four-seamer and changeup) and flaunted high-end upside.

7. IF Joey Ortiz, Milwaukee Brewers

2024 stats: .324/.425/.412, three RBIs, six BBs, 138 OPS+

Ortiz has been a scrappy emergence for the Brewers, putting the ball in play with ease and playing both third and second base — while also having shortstop experience in his back pocket. It’s all made for a vital contribution to a Brewers team many wrote off before the season yet lead the NL Central through three weeks.

8. RP Justin Slaten, Boston Red Sox

2024 stats: 0.87 ERA, 0.39 WHIP, 10.1 IPs, eight Ks

So far, so great for Slaten out of the Boston bullpen. The right-hander has exhibited an ability to induce weak contact and pitch multiple innings of relief, already doing so four times this season, while primarily throwing three pitches (sweeper, cutter and four-seamer).

9. RP Victor Vodnik, Colorado Rockies

2024 stats: 0.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 12.1 IPs, 11 Ks

Vodnik has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise dark 4-15 start for the Rockies. The hard-throwing, 24-year-old reliever has pitched multiple innings, worked out of trouble and has yet to surrender a run.

10. SS Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals

2024 stats: .347/.404/.469, six RBIs, six BBs, three SBs, 145 OPS+

Winn got some big-league reps down the stretch of 2023, and he has built on that exposure in the early stages of this season. The 22-year-old is adept at putting the ball in play and legging out extra-base hits, while holding down the fort at shortstop. Winn is among the faces of what the Cardinals hope is a budding young core, and he might have the strongest infield arm in baseball.

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