India remains atop Rookie Power Rankings

With little more than three weeks remaining in the regular season, MLB Pipeline staffers see two-man races for each Rookie of the Year award.

In the National League, Reds second baseman Jonathan India and Marlins left-hander Trevor Rogers claim the top two spots in our biweekly Rookie Power Rankings, which reflect who we think will win the rookie awards at season's end, combining performance to date and projected production the rest of the way. The next six names on this week's RPR belong to American Leaguers, with Astros right-hander Luis Garcia and Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena distancing themselves from the rest of the pack.

1. Jonathan India, 2B, Reds
Previous RPR: 1

India has been just the leadoff man the contending Reds needed, batting .271/.379/.463 and ranking among the NL leaders in on-base percentage (eighth), runs (84, eighth), walks (62, seventh) and hit by pitch (19, first). He tops all rookies in OBP, OPS (.843) and walks and is tied with Randy Arozarena for the lead in doubles (26).

2. Trevor Rogers, LHP, Marlins
Previous RPR: 3

Rogers ranked No. 1 atop the RPR for six straight editions before dropping to No. 3 two weeks ago, in large part because he pitched just once in six weeks while dealing with lower back spasms and a family matter. He returned against the Phillies last Saturday and should make five more starts this season. He leads all rookies who have worked at least 100 innings in ERA (2.52) and opponent average (.212) and he hasn't given up more than three runs in any of his 21 starts.

3. Luis Garcia, RHP, Astros
Previous RPR: 2

Garcia claimed a spot in the Astros rotation in April and hasn't relinquished it, bouncing back from his worst consecutive starts to record a 2.70 ERA in his last six outings. He's tied for the lead among rookies in wins (10) and tops them all in strikeouts (155 in 134 innings), K/BB ratio (3.9) and WHIP (1.11).

4. Randy Arozarena, OF, Rays
Previous RPR: 4

After an OK first half, Arozarena has looked like the force he was last postseason, hitting .329/.405/.611 since the All-Star break to boost his season line to .276/.356/.468 with 19 homers and 13 steals. He paces all rookies in batting, runs (86) and hits (128) and matches India with the most doubles (26).

5. Wander Franco, SS, Rays
Previous RPR: unranked

Franco didn't debut with the Rays until June 22, so he won't amass the counting numbers needed to win any awards, but he has made an impressive transition from baseball's top prospect to big leaguer. He just broke Mickey Mantle's AL record for the longest on-base streak by a player 20 or younger (37 games), has batted .327/.393/.537 during that span and is hitting .285/.346/.467 with seven homers in 60 games overall. Tampa Bay has gone 41-19 in his 60 starts.

6. Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Indians
Previous RPR: 7 (tie)

Clase has permitted just one run in his last 22 appearances and 22 2/3 innings, converting 10 straight saves while limiting opponents to a .319 OPS. He owns a 1.51 ERA, 63/15 K/BB ratio and a .204 opponent average in 59 2/3 innings this year, along with a rookie-best 21 saves.

7. Adolis García, OF, Rangers
Previous RPR: 5

The highest-ranked AL player on the RPR for much of June and July, Garcia has slumped since appearing in the All-Star Game but still tops all rookies with 29 homers and 78 RBIs and continues to provide quality defense. He's batting .246/.294/.477 overall.

8. Ryan Mountcastle, 1B/OF, Orioles
Previous RPR: 7 (tie)

After batting .255/.305/.447 with 14 homers in 83 games before the All-Star break, Mountcastle has heated up and hit .285/.347/.584 with 11 longballs in 37 second-half contests. He's up to .264/.317/.490, tops all rookies in slugging and is second to Garcia in homers (25) and RBIs (75).

9. Patrick Wisdom, 3B, Cubs
Previous RPR: 9

Finally getting a chance to play regularly in the Majors at age 29, Wisdom has taken advantage by batting .239/.308/.539 with 25 homers in 91 games while providing solid defense at third base. He went deep nine times in August, though his 40-percent strikeout rate for the season as a whole is a red flag.

10. Tyler Stephenson, C/1B, Reds
Previous RPR: 10

After a rough May, Stephenson has batted .307/.396/.474 with seven homers in 73 games (45 starts). He's batting .287/.374/.433 with nine homers in 113 games overall and may be wresting the starting job for 2022 away from defensive-minded Tucker Barnhart.

Also receiving votes: Dylan Carlson, OF, Cardinals; Casey Mize, RHP, Tigers; Garrett Whitlock, RHP, Red Sox.