MLB rookie power rankings: Which prospects are poised to make an immediate impact?

Top prospect lists help provide an understanding of the potential of baseball's best young talents, but you can't be an impact rookie until you step on a big-league field.

For the first rookie power rankings of the year, opportunity is what matters most. 

While we wait for Roman Anthony, Andrew Painter, Bubba Chandler and some of the game's most exciting prospects to make their mark soon, the first rookie rankings of the year feature players who are expected to make an immediate impact in the majors. 

(Note: The rankings below will be updated once per month throughout the season.)

With Cody Bradford and Jon Gray sidelined, it's the Vanderbilt duo's time to shine. Both Rocker and Jack Leiter are expected to begin the year in the rotation, and either player has a strong argument to be in this spot. Rocker's overpowering stuff looked back in a brief sample in his return from Tommy John last year, as he posted a 1.74 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 10 walks in 41.1 innings between Double-A, Triple-A and the big leagues. He struggled with his command early this spring, but the 2022 first-round pick's fastball and slider look big-league ready. In his final tune-up on Tuesday, Rocker struck out eight in four scoreless frames.

If the Braves' decision to decline their option on backup catcher Travis d'Arnaud cracked the door open for Baldwin, then the cracked rib suffered by starting catcher Sean Murphy broke it down. The Braves' top prospect is expected to serve as their primary catcher to begin the year after launching 12 homers and producing an .891 OPS while making strides behind the dish in 72 games at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Smith, a first-round pick last season and the Astros' centerpiece of the Kyle Tucker trade, will officially