Pittsburgh Review

Rookies continue to make substantial contributions in the Majors, though it is not the same group that commanded the spotlight earlier in the season. Consequently, nine of the best newcomers have vaulted onto MLB Pipeline's latest Rookie Hot List after not being ranked in May.

Each month, MLB.com evaluates which rookies performed best over the past 30 days. This list does not predict Rookie of the Year honors but reflects how top prospects have played during this period.

In a recent poll, All-Stars Shota Imanaga and Jackson Merrill once again cracked the top five for National League Rookie of the Year. However, their production dropped slightly from July 1 to Aug. 5, causing them to fall off this month's list. Imanaga struck out 34 batters and walked just three, but his ERA rose to 3.16 across five starts. Merrill hit seven doubles but posted a .668 OPS over 25 games.

Mason Miller made four appearances in this stretch, yielding two runs in four innings before heading to the injured list on July 25 with a broken left hand. Luis Gil, who appeared on the last edition, worked through a rough June with a 3.33 ERA across his past five starts but also fell off this month's list.

Despite batting .323 with an .853 OPS across his past 24 games, Chourio missed the cut due to lower overall offensive production compared to other batters for this time span.

The following are the hottest rookies since July 1 (all stats through Monday):

1. Paul Skenes, RHP, PIT (previously unranked): From starting the All-Star Game for the National League to continuing a dominant rookie campaign, Skenes posted a 1.87 ERA and an 0.80 WHIP across his past five starts for the Pirates, collecting 37 strikeouts in 33⅔ innings.

2. Tyler Fitzgerald, SS, SF (previously unranked): Fitzgerald became the fourth shortstop since 1901 to hit at least 11 homers in a 17-game span in AL/NL history. He slashed .343/.403/.886 with 15 extra-base hits and 20 RBIs in his past 20 games.

3. Colt Keith, 2B, DET (previously unranked): Keith turned up offensively with a .573 slugging percentage and a .958 OPS while smashing seven homers and collecting 17 RBIs in July.

4. Austin Wells, C, NYY (previously unranked): With increased playing time due to Jose Trevino's injury, Wells slashed .299/.404/.532 with seven extra-base knocks and drove in 15 runs over his past 25 games.

5. Colton Cowser, OF, BAL (previously unranked): Cowser batted .333 over his past 25 games for the Orioles and took the home run lead among rookie batters by launching four dingers for a total of sixteen home runs.

6. Wilyer Abreu, OF, BOS (previous rank: No.5): Abreu sported a .627 slugging percentage across his past twenty-five games after returning from an ankle sprain at June’s end and saved six defensive runs as an outfielder.

7. Spencer Schwellenbach RHP ATL previously unranked: Schwellenbach struck out thirty-three batters while issuing just one walk over thirty-three innings spanning five starts achieving efficiency marked by dominant stretch

8 Nolan Schanuel LAA previously unranked Schanuel impressed discipline department fast-rising first-rounder picked up twenty walks striking out seventeen times amassing eight hundred seventy-nine ops

9 Hayden Birdsong SF previously unranked Birdsong established himself Giants rotation before optioned second time doubleheader start righty fired twenty-five two-thirds innings era thirty-three strikeouts recalled again single Tuesday

10 Ben Joyce LAA previously unranked Joyce attention mph fastball ulnar neuritis sidelined towering right-hander found Angels bullpen allowed earned run eleven appearances striking eleven thirteen third innings reaching mph route save Saturday

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