Cowser up for AL ROY, looking to follow in Henderson's footsteps

BALTIMORE -- For the second consecutive year, the Orioles could receive Draft pick compensation for having a player win the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Finalists for the 2024 Baseball Writers’ Association of America Awards were announced Monday, with Baltimore outfielder Colton Cowser being included among the three finalists for AL Rookie of the Year. He is up against a pair of Yankees players -- right-hander Luis Gil and catcher Austin Wells.

Rookie of the Year Award winners will be announced Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. ET on MLB Network.

• All-time Rookie of the Year Award winners

Last year, infielder Gunnar Henderson ended the Orioles’ AL Rookie of the Year drought. He became the first Baltimore player to win the award since Gregg Olson in 1989, while joining Cal Ripken Jr. (‘82), Eddie Murray (‘77), Al Bumbry (‘73), Curt Blefary (‘65) and Ron Hansen (‘60) as O’s who have earned the honor.

Cowser may soon join that illustrious group, and -- like Henderson -- he could net Baltimore an additional Draft pick because of the Prospect Promotion Incentive. Cowser entered the season as MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 overall prospect.

After Henderson won AL Rookie of the Year in 2023, the Orioles were awarded the No. 32 overall pick in the ’24 MLB Draft. They used that selection on University of Virginia shortstop Griff O’Ferrall, who is now their No. 7 prospect.

There’s a strong case for the 24-year-old Cowser to win AL Rookie of the Year, which would mark the first time Baltimore has had a player receive the award in consecutive seasons.

Cowser, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, had a disappointing debut MLB stint in ‘23, when he hit .115 with a .434 OPS over 26 games. That performance motivated the Sam Houston State University product to win a job on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster in ‘24.

With a strong showing in Spring Training, Cowser did exactly that. He entered the season as Baltimore’s fourth outfielder, getting starts at all three spots. Then, he pushed his way into the everyday lineup by slashing .303/.372/.632 with seven doubles, six home runs and 18 RBIs in 28 games during March/April.

Although Cowser had ups and downs during his rookie campaign, he solidified himself as the Orioles’ starting left fielder, which allowed the O’s to deal Austin Hays and bolster another area of their roster ahead of the July 30 Trade Deadline. Hays was sent to the Phillies in exchange for right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez.

Cowser ranked third among Baltimore position players with 3.1 bWAR, finishing behind only Henderson (9.1) and catcher Adley Rutschman (3.4). Cowser posted a .242/.321/.447 slash line with 24 doubles, three triples, 24 home runs, 69 RBIs and 77 runs scored. No other AL rookie hit more than 16 homers.

Named an AL Gold Glove Award finalist, Cowser ranked second among MLB left fielders with plus-8 outs above average, while also recording 4 defensive runs saved.

Cowser’s impressive rookie season ended in a painful fashion, though, as he fractured his left hand in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series vs. the Royals on Oct. 2. He underwent surgery on Oct. 15 and is expected to be ready to go for Spring Training.

The Orioles, who went 91-71 and reached the postseason for a second straight season, have no other BBWAA award finalists this year.

After winning AL Manager of the Year in 2023, Brandon Hyde is not a finalist for the ’24 award. That honor will go to either Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt, Detroit’s A.J. Hinch or Kansas City’s Matt Quatraro.

Henderson and right-hander Corbin Burnes could finish in the top five in AL MVP and AL Cy Young voting, respectively, but neither is a finalist. The AL MVP finalists are Yankees teammates Aaron Judge and Juan Soto and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., while the AL Cy finalists are Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, Royals righty Seth Lugo and Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal.