TOP 20 ROOKIES

Even in a shortened 2020 season, rookies made an enormous impact. Kyle Lewis and Luis Robert put on shows in center field in the American League, while Cristian Javier helped carry a wounded Astros’ rotation within a game of the World Series. Devin Williams and his “airbender” changeup made history in the National League, while Jake Cronenworth, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin also played key roles in getting their teams to the playoffs, to say nothing of the offensive show Alec Bohm put on after his callup.

One unique consequence of the shortened season was that many players who played key roles for their teams remain rookie eligible in 2021. Randy Arozarena, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Sixto Sanchez, Ian Anderson and Ryan Mountcastle all ranked among the best rookies in baseball in 2020 and still retained their rookie eligibility for 2021.

What those players—and many others—will do for an encore is one of the most compelling storylines of the season.

# 1 RANDY AROZARENA

AGE: 26 | PROJECTED ROLE: LF

Arozarena hit 10 home runs last October, the most ever in a single postseason, to set the baseball world aflame and lead the Rays to the World Series last year. While he certainly won’t hit .377 or average a home run every other game over a full season—as he did in the playoffs—his long track record of hitting, growing power and electrifying athleticism should help him remain one of baseball’s top young hitters.

15 Notable Number

The number of Arozarena’s 18 career home runs in the regular season and postseason that have come off fastballs.

# 2 KE’BRYAN HAYES PIRATES

AGE: 24 | PROJECTED ROLE: 3B

Long renowned for his glove, Hayes finally caught up with