Pittsburgh Review

Time is running out for MLB's best rookies to bolster their case for why they deserve to be named Rookie of the Year.

In MLB.com’s latest Rookie of the Year poll, a very tight race between two first-year phenoms is developing in the National League. Meanwhile, there appears to be one player separating himself from the pack in the American League.

A panel of 30 MLB.com experts cast their ballots, with rookies receiving vote points on a 5-4-3-2-1 scale -- five points for a first-place vote, four points for a second-place vote and so on. Here are the results.

All stats updated through Sunday.

American League

1. Colton Cowser, Orioles (17 first-place votes)

Cowser could be the Orioles’ eighth Rookie of the Year with a strong finish to this season. He would follow in the footsteps of teammate and fellow LEGO fan Gunnar Henderson, who took home the award last season. The 2004-05 A’s are the most recent AL club to have back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners (Bobby Crosby, Huston Street).

The 24-year-old Cowser, who leads AL rookies with 19 home runs, has typically batted leadoff for the O's since July 28 and has produced a .274/.325/.460 slash line with 10 extra-base hits in 28 games since. He has done stellar work on defense as well, amassing 10 outs above average. That is the most among AL rookies and ranks tied for seventh among all outfielders.

2. Luis Gil, Yankees (2 first-place votes)

After dominating hitters through the season’s first couple of months, Gil stumbled in June and early July, permitting 20 earned runs, 14 walks and four homers over a 20 1/3-inning span. However, the fireballing right-hander recovered over his next five starts as he pitched to a 1.96 ERA, racked up 36 strikeouts in 28 frames and held hitters to a .568 OPS.

Gil’s momentum has been stalled by a lower back strain that landed him on the injured list last week. The ailment is believed to be minor, so he should return in September and add to his impressive numbers. Gil is at the top of the leaderboard among AL rookies in wins (12), innings (124 2/3), opponents’ batting average (.185) and strikeouts (144). The last Yankees rookie to tally more K’s in a season was Ron Guidry in 1977 (176).

3. Mason Miller, A’s (9 first-place votes)

At or near the top of several categories, Miller has shut down opposing offenses all year long, highlighted by 82 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA over 50 innings. The right-hander is riding a scoreless streak spanning over his last few outings dating back to July.

Miller’s fastball reaches speeds up to 103 mph but it is his slider that stands out as well; generating numerous strikeouts while maintaining an exceptionally low expected batting average against it.

4. Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox (2 first-place votes)

Abreu snapped out of an early slump mid-season and since then has been one of baseball's top hitters with significant offensive metrics including leading AL rookies in extra-base hits while also contributing defensively.

5. Austin Wells, Yankees

Wells began getting consistent starts mid-season which led him into becoming one of Yankee's reliable bats behind key players like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge while improving defensively compared with previous evaluations during his prospect phase.

Others receiving votes: Ceddanne Rafaela (Red Sox), Cade Smith (Guardians), Simeon Woods Richardson (Twins), Colt Keith (Tigers), Nolan Schanuel (Angels), Spencer Horwitz (Blue Jays), Mitch Spence (A's), Wyatt Langford (Rangers), Spencer Arrighetti (Astros)

National League

1.Paul Skenes,Pirates(19first-placevotes)

SkeneshasbeentheoverwhelmingNLfavoriteinthispollforafewmonths,andhe'sdonenothingtodiminishtheenthusiasm.He'sallowedtwoearnedrunsorfewerin11ofhispast12starts,andhis2..16ERAwouldleadMLBifhehadnoftenoughinningstoqualify.Similarly,hisk/9ratiowouldbethird-bestinbaseballifhehadtherequisitenumberofinnings.

Overall,Skenesis8-2ontheseasonwith130strikeoutsin104innings,andthePiratesare11-6inhisstarts.Hekeepstobemust-watchentertainment.

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