2018 breakthrough stars: The top ten Latino rookies

So far this season fans have enjoyed some special rookie seasons around Major League Baseball. In each corner of the country and Canada there have been youngsters making significant impacts on their teams and the pennant races, which is great for the game.

As we wait for the next group of young potential superstars such as Chicago’s Eloy Jimenez and Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., to arrive in their respective lineups, which might not happen before rosters expand in September, the beginning of August is a good time to take stock of our Rookie of the Year candidates.

Some of these players have been at the top of scouts’ ranking lists for more than a year. Others are bursting onto the scene and refusing to go away. A few others are still quietly navigating their way under the radar.

So let’s rank our Top 10 rookie campaigns from Latino ballplayers thus far. You’ll notice a strong mix of countries and major league teams represented on the list.

10. Yairo Muñoz

Infielder, St. Louis Cardinals

Dominican Republic

Muñoz made his major league debut on March 29 and has fought through the roster and managerial turmoil in St. Louis to have a productive season while playing all over the diamond. He ranks among the rookie leaders in OBP and OPS in spite of his unstable defensive alignment all year.

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Hoy en este día tan especial para nosotros, pero más para ti, quiero desearte el mejor de los cumpleaños, le doy gracias a mi Dios por permitirte llegar a un año más, le pido también que te siga iluminando para que sigas siendo esa persona tan bella, humilde y de buen corazón, también deseo que te siga bendiciendo con muchos años más de vida juntos, eres el ser más bello del mundo! Muchas felicidades mi Reyna hermosa! Te amo con todo mi corazón! #happybirthday ???

A post shared by Héctor Velázquez (@hvelazquez76) on Jul 20, 2018 at 6:59am PDT

9. Hector Velázquez

RHP, Boston Red Sox

Mexico

Velázquez appeared in eight games and threw 24 2/3 innings last year, but he still qualifies as a rookie in his age-29 season. “Old” by rookie standards, Velázquez has been a solid arm however the Red Sox have needed him this year amidst the wide range of injuries that have plagued their pitching staff.

8. Jorge Alfaro

Catcher, Philadelphia Phillies

Colombia

We profiled Alfaro earlier this year as he looks to carve out his own legacy as a catcher from Colombia. The 25-year-old backstop made his debut as a September call-up in 2016 but didn’t exceed his rookie status before this season. He has been the primary catcher for the Phillies. With veteran Wilson Ramos joining the team via trade at the deadline, Alfaro will have another good veteran leader to help him take control of the Phillies’ pitching staff down the stretch.

7. Seranthony Domínguez

Closer, Philadelphia Phillies

Dominican Republic

The 23-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic made his major league debut on May 7. When veteran Héctor Neris struggled early in the year, Domínguez took over the closer’s role for the Phillies, finishing 15 games. Domínguez has terrific stuff, striking out more than 1.0 batters per inning while limiting his walks. He and Alfaro will be keys down the stretch in Philly.

6. Christian Villanueva

Third base, San Diego Padres

Mexico

5. Miguel Andújar

Third base, New York Yankees

Dominican Republic

Andújar signed with the Yankees in 2011 and made his debut in Chicago on June 28, 2017. Even though the Yankees brought in free agent Brandon Drury to provide a veteran presence, Andújar grabbed the job at third base and hasn’t let go. He’s among the major league rookie leaders in home runs, RBI, runs scored and OPS.

4. Lourdes Gurriel, Jr

Infielder, Toronto Blue Jays

Cuba

The younger brother of Yuli Gurriel, who is nicknamed “Yunito,” Lourdes has been one of the best hitting rookies in the majors. He didn’t make his debut until April 20 but is among the league leaders among rookies in OPS, batting average and on-base percentage. He has played both middle infield positions this season and won’t turn 25 until Oct. 10.

3. Gleyber Torres

Second base, New York Yankees

Venezuela

A second former Cubs prospect cracks our list. Torres was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to Chicago for the final three months of the 2016 season and postseason; the Cubs won the World Series, so most fans find it hard to complain, but Torres certainly appears to be headed for superstardom. Still just 21, Torres is among the rookie leaders in home runs, RBI, runs scored and OPS. He has come back from Tommy John surgery last year and been a key part of the Yankees’ offense all season. He’s even earned praise from Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar.

2. Ronald Acuña, Jr

Outfielder, Atlanta Braves

Venezuela

Acuña, 20, was considered one of the top two or three overall prospects in baseball when players reported to Spring Training in late February. Thanks to the CBA giving the Braves’ a reason to keep him in the minors to open the season, Acuña didn’t make his debut until April 25. Since then he’s hit for power, driven in runs and played all over the outfield. Injuries have slowed him at times, but he continues to look like the real deal on a young Braves team partnered with Ozzie Albies.

1. Juan Soto

Outfielder, Washington Nationals

Dominican Republic

To say Soto has taken the world by storm is an understatement. At the end of the 2017 season, he wasn’t even considered the top prospect in the Nationals’ farm system. MLB Pipeline ranked him 37th overall at the end of last year. Still just 19, Soto made his debut on May 20 and has been a powderkeg in the middle of the Washington lineup ever since. Even without the first six weeks of the regular season on his resume he’s near the top of the rookie leaderboards in most offensive categories. He won’t turn 20 until after the World Series begins his fall, and it seems like he’s either tying or breaking a record for teenagers in the big leagues every week.

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