Michael Harris II and Julio Rodriguez burst onto the scene in 2022 as rookies and dominated in almost every facet of the game.
By the end of the season, both stars were named the Rookies of the Year in their respective leagues.
But with the 2023 season approaching, a new class of rookies awaits.
There are plenty of young stars who are set to make their mark on the game and take the league by storm.
Stars such as Jordan Walker, Hunter Brown, Gunnar Henderson, Miguel Vargas, and others are prepared to do some damage.
This morning, MLB Network analysts Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds discussed the candidates for the Rookie of the Year Awards in each league.
Which players are the favorites for Rookie of the Year in the AL and NL? #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/865kVuk51M
—MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 17, 2023
Reynolds put his money on Hunter Brown winning the award in the American League.
With Justin Verlander gone, the Houston Astros will have a vacancy in their starting rotation, and Brown could potentially be the one who fills those innings for the defending World Series champions.
Henderson and Royce Lewis are also potential candidates.
In the National League, Vargas, Walker, Corbin Carroll, Kodai Senga, and Ezequiel Tovar are some potential candidates.
Vasgersian did not make a prediction for who wins the award in each league, but made an interesting point, that sometimes a rookie that may not be on the list for the best odds could surprise everyone.
Reynolds used Jeremy Pena as a perfect example, somebody who was expected to receive ample opportunities but was far from a sure thing.
Of course, we all know how things worked out for Pena.
Despite not winning the award, he earned ALCS and World Series MVP honors.
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