MLB News: 5 Early NL Rookie of the Year Candidates

To continue Newsweek's coverage of Major League Baseball Opening Day on Thursday, it's time to look at five early candidates for the National League's Rookie of the Year. Similar to the American League's list, these are a few of the best who are either starting the season on the big league roster or are expected to debut at some point.

To make this list, players had to make a statement late last season or impress during spring training at the plate, in the field, on the mound, or a combination of.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines by signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a lucrative 12-year, $325 million contract before throwing a pitch in Major League Baseball. After being one of the most dominant pitchers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, he was the most sought-after pitcher on the free agent market. Last season in Japan he was 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA.

However, his rookie season is off to a rough start. He barely survived the first inning against the San Diego Padres in South Korea giving up five earned runs on four hits, walking one and striking out two on 43 pitches. He was lifted from the game after recording the final out of the inning.

Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs' left-hander Shota Imanaga will make franchise history when he takes the mound at Wrigley Field on April 1, becoming the first pitcher since Jon Lester in 2015 to make his MLB debut as the starting pitcher at a home game.

Imanaga has been overshadowed by Yamamoto this spring but has delivered in his first North American spring. He made four starts and finished 2-2 with a 5.68 ERA. He struck out 25 while only walking three and gave up eight earned runs on 18 hits across 12 2/3 innings.

Jackson Chourio, Milwaukee Brewers

Jackson Chourio, 20, flew through the Milwaukee Brewers farm system only playing six games above Double-A. He is considered MLB's No. 2 prospect and signed an eight-year, $82 million contract in December. It's the longest and largest contract signed by a player with zero Major League service time.

He finished last year with 22 home runs and 44 stolen bases across 128 games between Double-A and Triple-A becoming the fifth teenager to reach the major leagues since 1958. This spring he slashed .323/.373/.403 with 20 hits including three doubles and one triple. He also collected four RBIs and scored 13 runs in 62 at-bats across 18 games.

Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres took a chance on a shortstop and turned him into their starting center fielder. The Padres drafted Jackson Merrill in the first round at No. 27 overall in 2021 and completely skipped Triple-A. He began last season in Single-A and ended in Double-A but his strong showing at camp showed manager Mike Shildt everything he needed to see.

Merrill is 2-for-8 with a double, two runs scored, and three strikeouts through the first two games of the regular season.

Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Skenes and his 100-plus mph fastball will open the season in Triple-A Indianapolis but it is only a matter of time before last year's overall No. 1 pick makes his major league debut. Against the Orioles during the inaugural Spring Breakout game, six of his 11 pitches registered triple digits.

He appeared in two Grapefruit League games starting one and striking out three in three innings. He allowed one earned run on three hits and only needed 19 pitches to accomplish everything.