Sports · Baseball · 7 hrs ago
Kade Anderson and Josue De Paula among early 2027 Rookie of the Year candidates
Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart won the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year awards on Monday night.
The awards recognize the best first-year players in each league, and attention is already turning to who could contend in 2027.
Seattle pitcher Kade Anderson is an early American League favorite, after making seven solid starts late in 2026 and remaining eligible as a rookie.
Boston shortstop prospect Franklin Arias could also get a chance, after hitting .323 with 25 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A; the Red Sox may turn to him early next season.
Minnesota outfielder Walker Jenkins remains rookie-eligible despite playing 26 major-league games in 2026, and the Twins are expected to give him time to develop.
Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula impressed in his brief debut, but his path to the National League award depends on getting enough playing time.
Kade Anderson and Josue De Paula are among the players identified as early candidates for the 2027 MLB Rookie of the Year awards.
Anderson, a Mariners left-handed pitcher, is described as the early favorite for the American League award.
De Paula impressed in his brief Dodgers debut, but his path to the National League award may depend on getting more playing time.
Other candidates named include Franklin Arias and Walker Jenkins in the American League.
The preview follows the announcement that Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart won the 2026 awards.
- Who
- Kade Anderson, Josue De Paula and other prospects are identified as early candidates.
- What
- A preview considers possible contenders for the 2027 MLB Rookie of the Year awards.
- When
- Published November 10, 2026; the article is dated November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Major League Baseball, including the American and National Leagues.
- Why
- The article looks ahead to the 2027 rookie class after the 2026 award winners were announced.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kade Anderson and Walker Jenkins made their MLB debuts.
Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart were named the 2026 Rookies of the Year.
CBS Sports published its preview of possible 2027 Rookie of the Year candidates.
- Anderson
- Mariners left-handed pitcher; No. 3 pick in the 2025 Draft
- Anderson's 2026 stats
- 167 strikeouts and 22 walks in 129 innings between MLB and the minors
- De Paula's MLB debut
- 11 games, plus four postseason pinch-hitting appearances
- De Paula's plate discipline
- 13 walks and five strikeouts
- 2026 award winners
- Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart
What people are saying
Anderson is the super early favorite for the award.
The biggest obstacle standing between De Paula and next year's Rookie of the Year award is playing time.