MLB Rookie of the Year Odds & Favorites 2025: Kurtz is Riding High as Favorite

Last Updated: September 11, 2025 6:15 PM EDT • 3 minute read X Social Google News Link

Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz is easily cruising toward finishing atop the MLB Rookie of the Year odds in the AL, but it'll be a tight race between the top two contenders in the NL.
Kurtz is receiving -5000 betting odds while continuing to demolish baseballs, and no one is even remotely close to challenging him. But it's a different story in the NL, where Chicago Cubs hurler Cade Horton (-115) narrowly leads Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (+130).
🔢 AL Rookie of the Year odds 2025
Live AL Rookie of the Year odds via our best MLB betting sites.
🏆 Who’s the betting favorite to win AL Rookie of the Year?
🅰️ Nick Kurtz (-5000)
We're at the point where even an injury wouldn't keep Kurtz from easily marching to taking this honor in the AL, with his best odds from BetMGM implying a 98.04% probability that he wins it.
He was already on that trajectory before erupting for four homers in a single game during July, producing one of the best hitting performances in baseball history. In fact, his output throughout that month is what propelled him to such a commanding lead in this market, as the first baseman clubbed 11 homers while producing a staggering 1.433 OPS.
🔢 NL Rookie of the Year odds 2025
Live NL Rookie of the Year odds via our best sports betting sites.
🏆 Who’s the betting favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year?
🐻 Cade Horton (-115)
Horton is shining, and he incredibly posted eight shutouts across his first 20 MLB starts. He also went a stretch of 10 straight starts without allowing more than two earned runs, which is why he's dealing at close to even money at Caesars.
The only hurdle here in a tight race with Drake Baldwin could be his innings. The Cubs are monitoring Horton's workload and pitch counts while aiming to manage him carefully down the stretch of his rookie season.
🎯 My best NL Rookie of the Year pick
🍑 Drake Baldwin (+115)
Baldwin plays a premium defensive position as a catcher, and he's bringing impressive power when not behind the plate. But he's not selling out in that regard, as Baldwin is a well-rounded hitter capable of making consistent quality contact and spraying the ball to all parts of the field.
That's why I'd be compelled to sprinkle a wager on his plus-money odds via BetMGM with his implied probability sitting at a mere 43.48%.
📈 MLB Rookie of the Year opening odds
Odds as of January 2025 via BetMGM.
American League | Odds | National League | Odds |
---|---|---|---|
Jasson Dominguez | +600 | Roki Sasaki | +200 |
Coby Mayo | +700 | Dylan Crews | +400 |
Jacob Wilson | +700 | Matt Shaw | +400 |
Roman Anthony | +700 | Bubba Chandler | +1100 |
Jackson Jobe | +800 | Jordan Lawlar | +1400 |
Kristian Campbell | +1100 | Andrew Painter | +2000 |
Kumar Rocker | +1300 | Thomas Saggese | +2000 |
Christian Moore | +1600 | Tirso Ornelas | +2200 |
Chase DeLauter | +2000 | Rhett Lowder | +2500 |
Will Wagner | +2000 | Hye-Seong Kim | +3000 |
Travis Bazzana | +2200 | Agustin Ramirez | +3500 |
Colson Montgomery | +2200 | Luisangel Acuna | +3500 |
Juan Brito | +2500 | Quinn Matthews | +3500 |
Tomoyuki Sugano | +2500 | Caleb Durbin | +3500 |
Trey Sweeney | +2500 | Dalton Rushing | +4000 |
📜 AL Rookie of the Year betting history
Year | Player | Position | Preseason odds |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Luis Gil | SP | N/A |
2023 | Gunnar Henderson | SS | +250 |
2022 | Julio Rodriguez | OF | +400 |
2021 | Randy Arozarena | OF | +350 |
2020 | Kyle Lewis | OF | OFF |
2019 | Yordan Alvarez | DH/OF | +2000 |
2018 | Shohei Ohtani | DH/SP | N/A |
2017 | Aaron Judge | OF | N/A |
2016 | Michael Fulmer | SP | N/A |
2015 | Carlos Correa | SS | N/A |
📜 NL Rookie of the Year betting history
Year | Player | Position | Preseason odds |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Paul Skenes | SP | +3000 |
2023 | Corbin Carroll | OF | +400 |
2022 | Michael Harris | OF | OFF |
2021 | Jonathan India | 2B | OFF |
2020 | Devin Williams | RP | OFF |
2019 | Pete Alonso | 1B | +600 |
2018 | Ronald Acuna | OF | N/A |
2017 | Cody Bellinger | OF | N/A |
2016 | Corey Seager | SS | N/A |
2015 | Kris Bryant | 3B/OF | N/A |
❓ MLB Rookie of the Year FAQs
Who are the Rookie of the Year favorites?
Athletics rookie Nick Kurtz is the runaway favorite in the AL by the MLB Rookie of the Year odds while getting -5000 betting odds, and Cade Horton (-115) and Drake Baldwin (+130) are battling in the NL.
When will the Rookie of the Year winners be announced?
The MLB Rookie of the Year Award winners last year were announced on Monday, Nov. 18. We expect the 2025 awards to be announced sometime in mid-November.
Who won the Rookie of the Year awards last year?
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil and Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes won the AL and NL Rookie of the Year Awards last year, respectively.
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Sean Tomlinson X social