The race for the 2025 MLB Rookie of the Year Awards is heating up as the season enters its second half. MLB.com’s third Rookie of the Year poll reveals some fascinating momentum shifts in both the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
From dominant offensive performances to sparkling defensive feats, this year’s rookie class keeps impressing fans and experts. Let’s take a look at the key names shaping the conversation and the highlights from the latest rankings.
The American League: A Two-Teammate Showdown?
In the AL, Jacob Wilson has locked in as the frontrunner, showing consistency at the plate and on the leaderboard. He’s carrying a .332 batting average—second-best in all of Major League Baseball—and leads AL rookies with 2.9 fWAR.
Analysts have taken notice, though Wilson’s defense at shortstop hasn’t quite kept up with his bat. That’s a bit of a sore spot, if we’re being honest.
Nick Kurtz’s Late Surge
But it’s not just about Wilson. His teammate Nick Kurtz has exploded into contention, especially after a wild 26-game stretch where he crushed 12 home runs and posted a 1.122 OPS.
Kurtz now has 17 homers and a 143 OPS+ on the season. He’s turned himself into a legitimate offensive threat, and if he and Wilson finish one-two in the AL ROY race, they’d be the first AL teammates to do that since 1984. That’d be something to remember.
New Faces in the Race
Beyond those two, the AL race has a few new faces. Cam Smith of the Houston Astros just cracked the top five for the first time, thanks to his seven home runs, .277 average, and steady outfield defense.
Boston’s Narváez has also made noise. Even while handling the grind of catching, he’s framing pitches, throwing out runners, and chipping in at the plate with a .273 average and eight home runs.
Roman Anthony rounds out the AL’s top five. He’s a high-OBP guy, with a .371 on-base percentage and 117 OPS+, finding ways to help his team even if his stat line isn’t flashy.
The National League: Pitching Dominance Defines the Race
The NL’s got a clear headline: Brewers’ pitcher Jacob Misiorowski has taken over the top spot in the latest poll. He just made the All-Star team and, outside of one rough outing, has been nearly untouchable.
With a 1.23 ERA and a wild 39.2% strikeout rate, Misiorowski seems to shut down every lineup he faces. He’s the favorite for NL’s best rookie right now, and honestly, it’s hard to argue.
Baldwin Still a Contender
Previous poll leader Baldwin, a catcher with a reputation for steady defense and solid offense, is still right in the mix. He slumped at the plate in June but bounced back in July, reminding everyone he’s not going away.
Other Players to Watch
The NL field also features designated hitter RamÃrez of the Marlins, who keeps mashing long balls and carrying his team’s offense. And then there’s Kim, who’s turning heads with both his bat and his glove.
Kim’s hitting .339 and showing off some serious defensive versatility. He’s one of the league’s most intriguing rookies and could still climb the rankings as the season rolls on.
What’s Next?
The 2025 season is just getting interesting. The Rookie of the Year races in both leagues are still wide open.
Every at-bat, every defensive play, every pitch—rookies are out there hustling, trying to make their mark. They’re not just chasing stats; they’re chasing a spot in baseball history.
Analysts watch these players closely, weighing not only what they’ve done so far but also what they might become. The leaderboard keeps shifting, and honestly, who knows what wild twists are coming in these last few months?
Will Jacob Wilson or Nick Kurtz pull off something legendary in the AL? Maybe Jacob Misiorowski keeps dominating the NL. Either way, this 2025 rookie class feels electric—maybe the most exciting group we’ve seen in years.
If you love baseball, you might want to keep tabs on these guys. They’re rewriting what it means to be a rookie in the majors, and it’s a blast to watch.
Here is the source article for this story: Phenom rockets to top of latest Rookie of the Year poll
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