Jasson Dominguez Headlines American League Rookie of the Year Candidates

Bursting onto the scene with immense talent and sky-high potential, Jasson Dominguez leads the charge in the American League Rookie of the Year race heading into 2025. Who is his fiercest competition?

Matt Brandon | Mar 17, 2025

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (24) scores a run during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Bursting onto the scene with immense talent and sky-high potential, Jasson Dominguez leads the way in the American League Rookie of the Year race heading into 2025. His dynamic skill set and explosive bat make him the early favorite, but the field is stacked with young stars ready to make their mark. Pitching phenom Jackson Jobe, versatile infielder Kristian Campbell, and power-hitting outfielder Roman Anthony are all in the mix, while Kumar Rocker’s electric arm adds intrigue to the race. Let’s break down the top five contenders for the American League Rookie of the Year, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and evaluate their impact for the upcoming season.

OF Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees (+400)

The Yankees are poised to hand Dominguez the reins in center field, granting him every chance to secure a starting role. With elite speed that’s expected to thrive at the major league level, he’s a prime candidate for the top two spots in New York’s lineup once his bat heats up. However, his current draft value hinges on him locking down a full-time role in 2025. While his rookie season presents a classic risk/reward scenario, Dominguez’s long-term potential as a 20/40 player with a solid batting average is undeniable.

SP Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers (+600)

Jobe possesses the potential to be a high-impact pitcher; however, his current workload limitations hinder his capacity to be a game-changer in fantasy leagues for the 2024 season. With an expected progression to approximately 130 innings, including stints at the Triple-A level, Jobe must reestablish his command and extend the duration of his starts.

"It's hard not to get overexcited about Jackson Jobe."

The @RoadtoDetroit RHP is the top pitching prospect in baseball and has our attention after making some modifications to his arsenal over the winter. pic.twitter.com/BleH9KsI46
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) March 17, 2025

Notably, he has yet to exceed 75 pitches in a single minor league outing and has only recorded an out in the seventh inning on one occasion. While his future as a breakout star is promising, Jobe appears to be at least a year away from making a significant contribution to the Detroit Tigers' rotation.

2B Kristian Campbell, Boston Red Sox (+700)

The Red Sox are eager for Campbell to secure the starting second base position during spring training. However, his performance at the plate has been underwhelming through his first nine games, as he has managed just two hits in 21 at-bats, accompanied by three runs scored, four walks, and nine strikeouts. Given his current struggles, Campbell appears to be approximately half a season away from achieving fantasy relevance, making him a prudent buy-and-hold candidate in deeper formats.

OF Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox (+750)

In the competitive realm of fantasy baseball, Anthony is being drafted with the expectation that he will secure consistent at-bats for a substantial portion of the upcoming season. Projected as a future middle-of-the-order force, he also boasts greater speed than initially anticipated. However, his swing mechanics lean heavily toward groundballs, as evidenced by a 48.0% groundball rate in the minors last year. Notably, he has yet to surpass a fly-ball rate of 30.0% in any professional season. When he does manage to elevate the ball, however, his power potential is undeniable, with the capability to drive pitches over the fence.

Roman Anthony, Red Sox No. 1 prospect, made this baseball disappear 🤯 #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/8sxhvix6Fy
— MLB (@MLB) March 14, 2025

Anthony will require time to acclimate to major league pitching before emerging as a reliable fantasy asset. Savvy managers should monitor his progress, as his peak performance is likely to materialize in the latter half of 2025. His early trajectory with Boston mirrors that of Christian Yelich during his formative years with Miami.

SP Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers (+1200)

Kumar Rocker emerges as a compelling dark horse in the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year race, boasting +1200 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Texas Rangers' prodigious right-hander possesses a tantalizing repertoire, anchored by a devastating slider that serves as his primary weapon. Complemented by a blistering fastball, Rocker’s strikeout potential is undeniable, positioning him as a coveted asset for fantasy baseball enthusiasts.

However, lingering concerns regarding reinjury risk following his expedited return from Tommy John surgery, coupled with sporadic command issues, temper expectations. If he can’t control the strike zone, it could lead to earlier exits from ballgames, resulting in fewer wins.

Additionally, to truly solidify his status as a frontline starter, Rocker must refine a complementary cutter or changeup to diversify his arsenal. His limited major league experience, following a late-season debut in 2024, could also hinder early-season consistency. Nevertheless, with an expanded role in the Rangers' rotation, Rocker’s upside remains substantial as he sets his sights on American League Rookie of the Year honors.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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OF Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees (+400)

SP Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers (+600)

2B Kristian Campbell, Boston Red Sox (+700)

OF Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox (+750)

SP Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers (+1200)

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