MLB Rookie of the Year rankings: Surprising front-runners emerge

Welcome to the second edition of theScore's 2021 MLB Rookie of the Year rankings. The race is beginning to take shape, with surprising names emerging in both leagues.

American League

5. Nick Madrigal, White Sox

"Nicky Two Strikes," as he's now known, is bringing slap-hitting back into fashion, making contact with an MLB-leading 92.2% of swings. In a league shying away from guys like Madrigal, he isn't only making it work, he's thriving. The second baseman rarely walks (4.7%), but his OBP isn't suffering because he rarely strikes out (7.9%).

4. Michael Kopech, White Sox

The White Sox have been forced to use Kopech in a variety of roles - and he's impressed in all of them. Landing on the injured list could hurt his Rookie of the Year chances depending on how long his hamstring injury keeps him hobbled. However, when healthy, there are very few pitchers in baseball with better strikeout stuff; Kopech currently ranks ninth by K-BB% among pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched, according to FanGraphs.

3. Randy Arozarena, Rays

The odds-on favorite for the award to open the season, Arozarena has largely lived up to the hype. Accruing 1.3 WAR thus far, the ALCS MVP ranks top-10 among outfielders in the Junior Circuit. Arozarena could easily be the tortoise in this rookie race; his stat line will look a lot more impressive than the players ahead of him after 162 games.

2. Yermin Mercedes, White Sox

It's getting to the point where the teams that didn't give Mercedes a shot should have their credentials checked. Sure he might not field a position especially well - in fact, he's one of the worst defenders in the league - but the guy can flat-out hit. His 138 wRC+ ranks second among AL rookies. To put that into perspective, his teammate and reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu currently possesses a 141 wRC+.

1. Adolis Garcia, Rangers

Garcia is the second St. Louis Cardinals castoff on this list, joining Arozarena. Both were non-prospects to some degree, but Garcia is truly a late bloomer. At 28, the slugger is in a dead heat with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ronald Acuna Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. for the MLB lead in homers. His all-or-nothing approach may catch up to him eventually, as he's rocking a 29% K rate and 4.8% walk rate. However, for now, there are some fireworks in Texas.

National League

5. Tejay Antone, Reds

The Reds' bullpen doesn't have many bright spots, but Antone is one of them. The right-hander leads NL rookie relievers in fWAR, which is accompanied by a stellar 36.3% strikeout rate. He's only been scored on in two of his 17 appearances this season, with four out of his five runs allowed coming in a single appearance against the Cubs on May 2.

4. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins

Chisholm's hot start has been derailed by hamstring and ankle injuries, but he's still one of the league's rising stars. The Marlins second baseman not only leads NL rookies in fWAR, homers, and steals, but he's made an impression with a pair of eye-popping round-trippers off 100-mph fastballs from Jacob deGrom and Jose Alvarado.

3. Dylan Carlson, Cardinals

Carlson has slowed down after a fantastic first month - he posted a .695 OPS with two homers and 22 strikeouts in May - but he's still getting on base at a high clip. His .351 OBP ranks second among NL rookies last month, while his 13 walks in May lead the Cardinals. Carlson is also leading Senior Circuit rookies with 28 runs scored overall.

2. Ian Anderson, Braves

Anderson labored through his most recent outing, allowing four earned runs in four innings to the Mets, but his overall body of work has been fantastic. The right-hander ranks second among NL rookies in wins and strikeouts, and is third in innings pitched. Anderson has also allowed one earned run or less in half of his starts, with three of his most impressive outings coming against the Cubs, Phillies, and Yankees.

1. Trevor Rogers, Marlins

What a season it's been for Rogers. The Marlins left-hander leads NL rookie starters in every meaningful category, but he's also among early Cy Young contenders with a 2.46 FIP while recording 10.9 strikeouts per nine. Rogers has also managed to maintain dominant numbers despite bad luck. His .301 BABIP is the ninth highest in the NL.