15. OF Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres
Stats: 211 PA, 90 OPS+, .268/.305/.343, 8 XBH (3 HR), 22 RBI, 7 SB, 1.1 WAR
Merrill ranks second among all rookies with 53 hits, though 45 of them are singles and his .343 slugging percentage leaves something to be desired. To his credit, he has been fantastic defensively in center field while learning a new position on the fly, posting strong defensive metrics (3 DRS, 12.7 UZR/150) and shoring up a major hole on the roster.
14. 1B Michael Busch, Chicago Cubs
Stats: 197 PA, 120 OPS+, .238/.335/.440, 17 XBH (8 HR), 23 RBI, 1 SB, 0.9 WAR
After a terrific 2023 season at Triple-A, Busch had nothing left to prove in the minors, but also no path to playing time with Freddie Freeman blocking his route. The Cubs acquired him from the Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Jackson Ferris, and he has been one of the team's most productive hitters. His 34.0 percent strikeout rate will need to improve, though.
13. RHP Hunter Gaddis, Cleveland Guardians
Stats: 29 G, 12 HLD, 1.59 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 5 BB, 26 K, 28.1 IP, 1.0 WAR
With James Karinchak and Trevor Stephan both sidelined, Gaddis has filled a major void in the eighth-inning role setting up All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase. His early success has been a big reason why the Guardians boast baseball's best bullpen, with a 2.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and .194 opponents' batting average as a group.
12. LHP Bryan Hudson, Milwaukee Brewers
Stats: 22 G, 8 HLD, 1.07 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 8 BB, 39 K, 33.2 IP, 1.8 WAR
A towering 6'8" southpaw who was drafted by the Cubs in 2015, Hudson made his MLB debut with a 7.27 ERA over 8.2 innings with the Dodgers last year before he was traded to the Brewers in January. The 27-year-old has stepped up big in a bullpen that is without closer Devin Williams, using a 7'4" extension to help his 91.8 mph fastball play up while generating a 42.4 percent whiff rate with his sweeper.
11. 2B/LF Davis Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays
Stats: 197 PA, 130 OPS+, .246/.345/.455, 21 XBH (7 HR), 30 RBI, 3 SB, 1.1 WAR
Schneider posted a 175 OPS+ with 12 doubles, eight home runs and 20 RBI in 35 games with the Blue Jays last season, but he still maintained his rookie status entering 2024. The 25-year-old has split his time between left field (30 starts) and second base (15 starts), and he ranks second on the Toronto roster in home runs (7) and RBI (30).
