American League rookies burst onto the scene to start the 2026 season all fighting for a chance to Win AL Rookie of the Year. Chase DeLauter was hitting home runs left and right, and his teammate Parker Messick was just as dominant on the mound. Then, on the South side of Chicago, Munetaka Murakami was leading the AL in home runs before his injury. Last but not least is Kevin McGonigle, who is leading the AL Rookie of the Year race and could earn his team a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick.
AL Central Rookie of the Year Candidates to Come
Max Clark – OF (Detroit Tigers)
Max Clark has been a divisive player within the Tigers’ system this season. He was red hot to start the season after a disappointing Spring Training. It seemed like Clark could be ready for a call-up, and then he went into a bit of a slump. He is hitting for less power on the season than he has in the past, but is striking out less than his career average. A hot streak could get him called to Detroit with how much their current group of outfielders is struggling and boost his odds for Rookie of the Year.
Max Clark is an interesting case for Rookie of the Year. His former minor league teammate, Kevin McGonigle, is currently leading the AL Rookie of the Year race, and with Murakami out, could start to run away with it. Additionally, the Tigers had a disappointing first half of the season, and if Clark were called up and they made a run at the AL Central, it could boost his chase for the award. Clark profiles as a very good defensive outfielder in any of the three positions who also should have no problem swiping bags. At the plate, he is likely to have at best average power, but should be an above-average hitter.
Kaelen Culpepper – SS (Minnesota Twins)
Kaelen Culpepper was the Twins’ first-round pick two years ago out of Kansas State, which was way high than most people had them in their MLB Mock Drafts. Since then, he’s performed at whatever assignment the Twins gave him. Last year was his first full season of pro ball, and he worked himself up to Double-A, and he did so in a surprising fashion. He hit for more power than he was supposed to and struck out at a low rate. Culpepper even showed some feel for stealing bases, adding 25 on the season. There’s no reason that Culpepper shouldn’t be in the Rookie of the Year race if he can continue to do this in Minnesota at a premium position.
The Royce Lewis days in Minnesota could be numbered, and Kaelen Culpepper could be there to take his place. Lewis has already been sent down once this season and is playing less and less at shortstop. If Culpepper continues to shine in Triple-A, he could be up relatively soon. Defensively, shortstop may not be his long-term home, but he has shown the ability to man it during his time in the minors. Additionally, he’s hitting for more power than expected while still maintaining a 50% ground ball rate. If this can be improved, there’s no reason he can’t be an above-average hitter with average pop at a premium position.
Cooper Ingle – C/OF (Cleveland Guardians)
Cooper Ingle came out of Clemson in 2023 as a steady but not eye-opening performer. He quickly turned heads in his first pro season in 2024, however. Ingle won the High-A Midwest League MVP, where he did nothing but hit and get on base. He walked more than he struck out and hit .313 at the level with nearly 30 extra-base hits in 68 games. Last season saw Ingle not hit for as high an average, but he still walked more than he struck out, allowing him to continually get on base at the upper levels of the minors, which will be key in the majors if he wants to win Rookie of the Year.
Cooper Ingle joins a second-place Guardians team that is very much in contention for the AL Central. In his first two games, he has only appeared in a DH role, but he was learning to play the outfield the last couple of weeks in Triple-A. Ingle’s value will come in the batter’s box. He profiles to have average power at best, as he doesn’t get the ball in the air often. However, his elite discipline at the plate will minimize strikeouts and allow him to get into plenty of hitters’ counts that he has shown he can take care of. Behind the plate is the bigger question. The Guardians need offense, but Ingle’s defense will hopefully be average.
Elmer Rodriguez – RHP (New York Yankees)
Elmer Rodriguez has been a stud since being drafted back in 2021. Every season he has been in the minors, he has had an ERA below 3.00 and an opposing batting average below .220. He has done this all while being one of the younger pitchers at each level at which he has pitched. Last season alone, the Yankees stretched him out to 150 innings, which you very rarely see in the minors. This was all in hopes of him contributing serious innings for them in a potential pennant race and for him a potential AL Rookie of the Year race.
Elmer Rodriguez has seen some action in spot starts so far this season for the Yankees. However, Rodriguez is back in Triple-A, where he has been dominant. This is a great sign for the Yankees, as Rodriguez has only improved each season he has been in the minors. He has an upper-90s fastball with carry and a slider that pairs well off of it. Rodriguez even throws a splitter to keep hitters even more off balance. If he continues to develop and can get an opportunity in the Bronx this season, there’s no reason he can’t be putting hitters away while chasing down the Rookie of the Year race.
Main Photo: David Richard- Imagn Images
