Julio Rodriguez Moves Into Top 3 in AL Rookie of the Year Odds After Making Opening Day Roster
By Matt De Saro
The Seattle Mariners have one more tool to try and make a run at the playoffs in 2022. Thanks to a phenomenal performance this spring, outfielder Julio Rodriguez has played his way onto the Opening Day roster. It’s big news for both the team and the league, as Rodriguez is one of the top prospects in baseball. The 21-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic joins Bobby Witt and Spencer Torkelson as top prospects heading into their rookie season.
Unsurprisingly, the news out of Seattle has shaken up the American League Rookie of the Year odds for the upcoming season. This is now more of a three-horse race, instead of just Witt and Torkelson. The current odds at WynnBET Sportsbook for the AL ROY award are as follows:
- Bobby Witt Jr. +300
- Spencer Torkelson +500
- Julio Rodriguez +550
- Adley Rutschman +600
- Riley Greene +1000
- Shane Baz +1000
- Jeremy Pena +1200
- Josh Jung +1200
The first thing that jumps out at me is how stacked this field is. It is unusual for so many top prospects to be on Opening Day rosters in the same year. Most of the time, teams wait until the season is underway to work the rookies in.
So, what can we expect from Rodriguez this year in Seattle? For starters, the kid can hit. He went 13-for-31 (.419) during spring training with four doubles and three home runs. Not only is he a powerhouse, but he can also run too. Rodriguez has stolen three bases already in the spring and has shown impressive range in the outfield. Between High Class-A and Double-A last year, Rodriguez hit .347/.441/.560 with 13 long balls and 21 stolen bases in 74 games. Rodriguez joins a talented outfield that includes 2020 Rookie of the Year, Kyle Lewis, and Jarred Kelenic.