Scrap vs. Ghosty — Who is the 2023 Call of Duty League Rookie of the Year?
The 2023 Call of Duty League season is coming to an end. With Major 5 taking place this weekend and Champs right around the corner, one of the topics being discussed is who will be crowned Rookie of the Year.
Two young players have shined above all others this season—Scrap of Toronto Ultra and Ghosty of OpTic Texas. Each player brings something totally different to their team, which makes the conversation even more interesting.
Who should win the 2023 CDL Rookie of the Year?
Why Scrap Should Win
Since the beginning of the year, Scrap has consistently been one of the best players in the league. He's a monster with either the AR or SMG and will occasionally run a sniper in SnD. Stats-wise, he's near the top of the leaderboard in every major category. At any moment in a round, Scrap has the ability to take over.
Whether it's a 1v4 on SnD or they need clutch kills on Control, he's cold-blooded and a danger to his opponents. From the moment he stepped into the League, Scrap put a target on his back as one of the best in the game that will mess with your head throughout a match.
Why Ghosty Should Win
Unlike Scrap, Ghosty started the season in Challengers before being called up to the starting lineup during Stage 3. You have to take this into account when comparing stats. While he doesn't have the slaying numbers Scrap has put up, he's shown plenty of ability while being one of the smartest players in the CDL. What he brings doesn't always show up in statistical categories.
Ghosty's leadership, map IQ, and knowledge of the game are arguably the best in the League, and he's shown he can turn on anyone at any time. He'll hold hill time, capture zones, and do the dirty work in SnD. OpTic struggled in Stage 1 and in Major 2, but has found consistent success since bringing Ghosty into the lineup, making what he does for the team critical to its success.
The 2023 CDL Rookie of the Year Is...?
It's a toss-up. Scrap has the stats and longevity this season, while Ghosty has the presence and intelligence to lead his team to victory. But if we have to pick one —Scrap's at the head of the table.
His ability to take over at any point and the stats to back it up are tough to find in a young player. He's an integral part of Toronto's success and why they won Major 3, and why they have a great shot at winning Champs.
How to Watch the Call of Duty League
Viewers can watch the 2023 Call of Duty League through the Call of Duty Twitch and YouTube channels. If you are watching on Twitch, be sure to link your Activision and Twitch accounts to receive Twitch Drops during eligible events. The CDL will take place every Friday-Sunday over the course of four weeks.
Zack is the Publishing Manager for Esports Illustrated. He grew up playing videos as a kid, mainly sports games and the Call of Duty series. Before his work at Esports Illustrated, Zack published content for the NFL Draft for various sites since 2017, including partner sites on FanNation and has appeared on various shows across the country and videos across the FanNation group. Outside of work, Zack enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He loves playing football and video games with his son, taking his two daughters to get their favorite treats, and binge-watching shows with his wife. Zack began covering Esports at the end of 2022, mainly covering the Call of Duty League.