3 players who can keep Masataka Yoshida from bringing AL ROY honors to Red Sox

Red Sox Outfielder Masataka Yoshida has been on a tear so far starting off his rookie season with the club. A key offensive piece at the top of the Boston lineup, Yoshida ranks first in batting average, wRC+, and is tied for first in RBI amongst all qualified rookies. Currently sitting as the favorite for American League Rookie of Year at +140 (via FanDuel), let’s take a look at a few players that could overtake Yoshida at the top spot. 

Top competition with Masataka Yoshida for Rookie of the Year: Anthony Volpe 

Widely regarded as the favorite coming into the 2023 season, Volpe was rumored to join Derek Jeter as the next five-tool shortstop in Yankees history. So far, we’ve seen flashes of these tools from Volpe. Vople’s offensive numbers are highlighted by the seven home-run mark, with his most recent homer coming in a timely fashion to give New York the win against division rival Toronto.

Despite these impressive power numbers, Volpe is still working to consistently establish himself at the plate, slashing a poor .212 batting average with a 30% strikeout rate. Defensively, we’ve seen flashes of brilliance but overall Volpe is sitting at -1 Outs Above Average, making him slightly below average defensively. Regardless, Volpe has shown elite speed on the basepaths, tied for third amongst all rookies in stolen bases. There’s no denying Volpe is a five-tool player, it’s merely a question of when he can fully put it together. If he can manage to be 

Top competition with Masataka Yoshida for Rookie of the Year: Yennier Cano 

Remember when Devin Williams won NL ROY during the 2020 season? Williams dominated the shortened regular season, pitching 13 ⅓ scoreless innings, putting the league on lockdown with his signature screwball changeup. Orioles rookie Yennier Cano has put on a clinic this season, surrendering just one earned run in 23 ⅔ innings pitched.

Along with 26 strikeouts, these video-game numbers have made Cano the most dominant reliever in baseball. Baltimore now has arguably the best eighth and ninth-inning relief duo between Cano and closer Felix Bautista, which will help carry Baltimore in their playoff run down the stretch this season. If Cano can maintain this sheer dominance, he will always be in contention for the AL ROY Award. 

Top competition with Masataka Yoshida for Rookie of the Year: Bryce Miller 

Fairly new on the scene, Miller dominated in his MLB debut striking out ten batters in six innings, setting a franchise record for most strikeouts in an MLB Debut. The dominance has continued so far in his first four starts with Seattle, tossing a 1.42 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 25 ⅓ innings pitched. Miller also has the lowest WHIP (0.513) through a pitcher's first four career starts in MLB history.

The Texas A&M product has dominated thanks to his fastball, which has registered at 9.5 runs above average (per FanGraphs). If Miller continues this impressive domination, he will be the first starting pitcher since Shohei Ohtani (2018) to win the AL ROY Award. 

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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