These rookies you should keep your eye on

BY FABIAN ARDAYA

AMERICAN LEAGUE ShoheiOhtani

ANGELS RHP/DH

One of this offseason’s most intriguing storylines came in the form of the Japanese import, aka the “Japanese Babe Ruth,” who chose to pair with Mike Trout and the Angels and should pique the interest of baseball fans and fantasy baseball fans alike with his ability to pitch and hit. The 23-year-old posted a career .859 OPS in Japan and had a 2.52 ERA in 543 career innings.

GleyberTorres

YANKEES INF

The Yankees loaded up with an offseason splash, adding Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins to pair with reigning American League Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge. New York may have a shot at back-to-back Rookies of the Year with MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 prospect in Torres. The stud infielder missed time last season due to Tommy John surgery on his left (nonthrowing) elbow, but could crack the Opening Day lineup.

MichaelKopech

WHITE SOX RHP

The White Sox received a massive haul last winter when they dealt Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox, with the biggest name, Yoan Moncada, making his club debut last fall. Moncada just barely exceeded retaining rookie status, but the flame-throwing righthander Kopech is waiting in the wings after posting a combined 3.35 ERA between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. The White Sox should be young and talented, and moving Kopech to the rotation could be the latest step in the club’s rebuild.

NATIONAL LEAGUE RonaldAcuna

BRAVES OF

Like the White Sox, the Braves are loaded with young talent. Shortstop Ozzie Albies came in and posted an .810 OPS in 57 games as a rookie last season, but Acuna is set to follow. The 20-year-old, who ranks second on MLB Pipeline’s list of prospects, posted an .896 OPS across three minor league levels last season, wrapping up the season by winning the MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

VictorRobles

NATIONALS OF

Robles got a taste of the Majors — and the postseason — last year and flashed much of the natural ability that has him sixth on MLB Pipeline’s list of top prospects. The 20-year-old outfielder is a burner and had an .875 OPS in the minors before going 6-for-24 in 13 big-league games.

WalkerBuehler

DODGERS RHP

The Dodgers have had the last two National League Rookies of the Year in Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger, and Buehler could very well be the third. The 23-year-old right-hander got a brief call-up last season making eight appearances, and was lights out in posting a 3.35 ERA across three minor league levels.

Shohei Ohtani, aka the “Japanese Babe Ruth,” now an Angel, should pique the interest of baseball fans and fantasy baseball fans alike with his ability to pitch and hit.