MLB ROY rankings: Cowser tough to beat in AL, NL race is tight at top

Welcome to the fourth edition of theScore's 2024 Rookie of the Year rankings, where we look at the top five rookies in each league. Odds courtesy of theScore Bet.

American League

5. Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox

Abreu has been a mainstay on this list for much of the 2024 season. He has the third-most fWAR and second-highest wRC+ in the American League to go along with nine defensive runs saved.

4. Luis Gil, Yankees

Gil has dropped on this list due to a rough August that saw him post a 5.25 ERA with more walks than innings pitched, but his overall body of work remains outstanding. The 26-year-old leads rookie hurlers in wins and ranks in the top 10 among first-year starters in innings pitched, strikeouts per nine, and FIP.

3. Mason Miller, Athletics

Aside from four so-so innings in July and a short stint on the injured list with a broken finger, Miller's rookie year has been tremendous. The closer leads first-year hurlers with a 14.6 K/9 while limiting the competition to a .155 batting average. He's also converted 23 of his 25 saves chances.

2. Austin Wells, Yankees

Wells has really picked up steam in the second half, slashing .298/.384/.508 while being regularly used in the heart of the Yankees' lineup. The catcher has also grown in fan popularity after one of his recent TikTok videos went viral.

1. Colton Cowser, Orioles

Cowser remains the rookie to beat in the AL. The Orioles outfielder leads AL rookies in homers and is tied for second among big-league rookies in fWAR. He's also been solid on both sides of the ball, with his range and arm strength ranking 96th percentile or better.

National League

5. Shota Imanaga, Cubs

Imanaga got off to one of the best starts by a rookie in MLB history, but he hasn't maintained the same kind of dominance. He's still been sharp, though, winning 11 games and leading all rookies in innings pitched.

4. Tyler Fitzgerald, Giants

Fitzgerald wasn't on many people's radars as an NL Rookie of the Year contender entering this season, but he's certainly put himself in the hunt. The 26-year-old is first in slugging percentage and wRC+, and he's fourth in homers among NL rookies despite having only played 76 games this year.

3. Masyn Winn, Cardinals

Winn has really come into his own as the Cardinals' everyday shortstop. He's been terrific defensively as evidenced by his 14 defensive runs saved while adding a solid power-and-speed element to St. Louis' aging lineup. Winn also looked terrific in August, slashing .292/.336/.478 with five homers and 10 RBIs in 27 games.

2. Paul Skenes, Pirates

Skenes continues to look like one of MLB's brightest future stars, logging a ridiculous 2.13 ERA and 11.2 K/9 in 19 starts. However, he's also looked more human of late. The right-hander allowed 21 hits and walked 10 in 28 1/3 August innings while logging the highest ERA (3.18) in any of the months he's pitched this season.

1. Jackson Merrill, Padres

Merrill is beginning to separate himself from the rest of the NL rookie class. The 21-year-old has been sensational in the second half, slashing .320/.350/.620 with nine homers, 33 RBIs, and six steals since the All-Star break. He's been a spark plug for a Padres club that looks destined for the postseason.