Heading into the final stretch of the 2025 MLB season, it’s time to examine where some of the league’s best rookies stand as MLB Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year voting approaches.
While no rankings are official yet, these are the names that have floated to the top of most Rookie of the Year award predictions based on their stellar performances thus far this season.
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MLB Rookie of the Year Candidates
With the playoff race around the corner, here’s where the top rookies stand across the MLB:
American League
- Nick Kurtz, Athletics 1B
- Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox OF
- Jacob Wilson, Athletics SS
National League
- Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves C
- Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs SP
- Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers 3B
- Agustín Ramírez, Miami Marlins C
- Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers SP
- Jakob Marsee, Miami Marlins CF
American League Candidate Breakdowns
The American League Rookie of the Year favorites include a pair of midseason callups that are in veteran form already.
Nick Kurtz – Athletics 1B
Kurtz was called up in May and has adjusted seamlessly to Major League pitching. He leads all rookies in home runs (33), RBIs (81), runs (83) and WAR (5.0). On September 13, he hit the longest home run of the 2025 season with a 493-foot grand slam to dead center.
If all that weren’t enough, on July 25th, the 22-year-old Kurtz had one of the greatest nights at the plate a hitter has ever seen, going 6-for-6 with four home runs (nearly five) and 8 RBIs.
Roman Anthony – Boston Red Sox OF
The number one prospect in Major League Baseball entering the year, Roman Anthony has delivered since being called up. Anthony ranks among the league leaders in average exit velocity and hard hit percentage with a .292 average and .396 OBP. An oblique injury ended his season prematurely, but Boston is hoping their star will be ready for the postseason.
Jacob Wilson – Athletics SS
Wilson, Kurtz’s infield mate, has been among the leaders for American League Rookie of the Year since the beginning of the season. A slump and a trip to the injured list with a fractured forearm might have derailed his candidacy, but on the year, the All-Star ranks second in Major League Baseball with a .315 batting average. Thus far, he has amassed 148 hits against just 36 strikeouts.
Noah Cameron – Kansas City Royals SP
Cameron began his MLB career with an incredible streak of five straight outings of at least six innings pitched with one or fewer runs allowed. In the year, he compiled a 9-7 record with a 2.90 ERA and an impressive 3.9 WAR, establishing himself as one of the top rookie pitchers in the American League.
Jasson Dominguez – New York Yankees OF
After short stints with the Major League club the last two years, Dominguez maintained his rookie status for his first full season in New York. He overcame a slow start to the year in dramatic fashion with a three-home run game on May 9 against the Athletics. That brilliant flash of power reminded everyone what made him a top prospect.
His 23 stolen bases on the year have been providing the NY Yankees with immense value on the base paths.
Cam Smith – Houston Astros RF
The Houston Astros right fielder was acquired in the Kyle Tucker trade and gives the Astros their right fielder of the future. A first-round pick in the 2024 draft has shown top prospect ability at both third base and in the outfield. He’s cooled off in the second half of the year, but the Astros are hoping he can regain his form as they fight for a final playoff spot.
National League Candidate Breakdowns
The National League Rookie of the Year standings feature a trio of players from the top dogs in the NL Central as well as a couple of rookies breathing life into teams gasping for air.
Drake Baldwin – Atlanta Braves C
In 118 games, the Atlanta backstop has 15 doubles, 18 home runs and 76 RBIs with an exceptional strikeout-to-walk ratio.
In a comeback victory over the Marlins on August 7th, he drove in five runs including two home runs and a game-tying single. He has been a bright spot on an otherwise underwhelming Atlanta Braves season.
Cade Horton – Chicago Cubs SP
Horton has been a revelation for the Chicago Cubs. He began August with a scoreless inning streak across 23 1/3 innings pitched, but it was hardly a blip. In the second half he’s been nearly unhittable with a 8-1 record, a 0.93 ERA, a .153 BAA and a ridiculous 0.79 WHIP.
Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers 3B
Durbin is one of a handful of Brewers who have made a case for Rookie of the Year at some point in the season. With 25 doubles, 11 home runs and a 3.0 WAR, he’s been a major key to the Brewers already having clinched the NL Central.
Agustín Ramírez – Miami Marlins C
He cooled off a bit in the second half of the year, but on the year, Ramírez has 21 home runs, 33 doubles and 67 runs driven in.
Jacob Misiorowski – Milwaukee Brewers SP
Called up in mid-June, Misiorowski won four of his first five starts including a stellar outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers where he yielded four hits, one walk and a run against 12 strikeouts. The dominant debut earned him a trip to the All-Star game.
He’s been a shakier in the second half thus far with just a 1-2 record and a 5.45 ERA.
Jakob Marsee, Miami Marlins CF
Marsee is just 49 games into his professional career but he’s already tallied a 2.1 WAR thanks to 26 of his 60 hits going for extra bases and a .912 OPS. Another Marlin sparking hope for the future.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Rookie of the Year in 2024?
New York Yankees SP Luis Gil and Pittsburgh Pirates SP Paul Skenes were the AL and NL Rookies of the Year in 2024.
Who selects the MLB rookies of the year?
The Baseball Writers' Association of America votes on the top rookie performances to determine a winner in the American and National Leagues.
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