It is always exciting to see the impact from each year's rookies. Every Major League superstar was once a Rookie and these are the next generation of great players. The fun begins when you start keeping an eye on a young player and watch them blossom into the true star they are. Last year's rookies in Michael Fulmer and Corey Seager are impressing and the same thing could occur from the talented group we have seen in 2017.
Hitters
1 - Aaron Judge
Of course, the list had to be started with this man. Making his debut in 2016, he is still considered a rookie and wow is he having an incredible start.
Judge already looks like he's been in the Major Leagues for ten years. As of yesterday, he is hitting .313 and leads all of Major League Baseball with 12 home runs. He also tied the rookie record for home runs in April at 10. He has not been too shaky on defense either as he recently had a leaping catch into the stands at Fenway. What is not to like about the 6'7", 282-pound right fielder from the New York Yankees? I'll tell you one thing, if he keeps playing like this, the Rookie of the Year voting will not be too challenging. Manager Joe Girardi has also already compared his character to that of Yankee legend and former Captain, Derek Jeter.
2 - Andrew Benintendi
Another player who made his start in 2016, Benintendi made his presence known early last year with the Red Sox in the postseason.
Unlike Judge, he shined in his debut and definitely looked like the immediate future for the Boston organization. Now, in 2017 he posts a slash of .330/.391/.464 and leads the team in RBI's with 15. He definitely adds to possibly the best outfield in all of baseball. I don't know if any team compares to the likes of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr.
, and Andrew Benintendi. He also passed Babe Ruth to become third youngest Boston Red Sox player with a 5-for-5 game at the age of 22. Definitely, a player to keep an eye on, Andrew Benintendi will be around for quite some time.
3 - Mitch Haniger
Seattle is sure glad they found something in outfielder Mitch Haniger. The Mariners could definitely use all the help they can get and Mitch has answered their prayers.
He currently leads rookies who have played 20 or more games with a batting average of .342 which is also the highest on his team. It adds to a nice slash of .342/.447/.608. On the downside, however, Mitch was also added to the 10-day DL. Hopefully not out for too much longer, Haniger can come back and help his struggling team. His 16 RBI's should help to go along with the four home runs he has already hit. Barring a slump, this kid will be providing Seattle his assistance until the end of the season.
Pitching
1 - Antonio Senzatela
The Rockies seem to have all the pieces to the puzzle, except an elite starting rotation. The lineup is among the best in baseball, the only issue is the weak rotation...enter Senzatela.
He already leads the team and all rookies in ERA, posting a .281. He also leads the Rockies in wins with 3 and leads rookies in innings pitched with 32. That is a lot of leading statistics right there. The strikeouts could increase a bit as he only has 18 through 5 games. That is not exactly great, but what do you expect from a rookie who calls Coors Field his home. It is never easy for a pitcher at Coors which is why Senzatela's numbers stand out so greatly.
2 - Jordan Montgomery
Montgomery has flown under the radar to start his career. It seems almost as if the Yankees rotation is where pitchers go to die, but they have found new life in rookie starter Jordan Montgomery. Another young team that could use more strength in the rotation, he has found a way to help his team to their 16-9 record.
His ERA is a little higher than the Yankees would have hoped for at .415, but that is the third best ERA among rookie starters. He also has been finding a way to strikeout an increased number of batters with 23, more than veteran starter C.C. Sabathia. He ranks sixth among rookie starters in innings pitched, this could increase a bit as he has never pitched past the sixth inning. Either way, the Yankees have a great young starter in Montgomery.
3 - Amir Garrett
The rookie leader in strikeouts (26), Garrett is exactly what the Reds were looking for. His ERA is at .450, but is the result of one bad outing where he gave up nine runs. Before that, he had never given up more than two in a single game.
He also managed to strikeout twelve Orioles through seven innings in just his third Major League start. Garrett has the second-most innings pitched on the Reds team and for all rookie pitchers in general. He also manages the second most strikeouts and second best ERA of the Reds starters. He is definitely something special and will be in the Rookie of the Year conversation at the end of the season.
