⚾ MLB Rookie of the Year Odds & Favorites 2026: Griffin in Minors But Still 2nd-Biggest Favorite

Kevin McGonigle leads the MLB Rookie of the Year odds on the AL side as he's officially beginning the campaign on the Detroit Tigers' major-league roster.

Meanwhile, Konnor Griffin is still the second-biggest favorite in the NL despite beginning the year in the minors, while New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean is the favorite after his appearance in the WBC final. When will the Pirates call up Griffin? If his arrival in the majors isn't too delayed, this price could look like a steal in a month.

We're tracking the odds throughout the season and providing our best Rookie of the Year bets along the way.

🔢 American League Rookie of the Year odds 2026

Latest MLB Rookie of the Year odds for the American League via our best sports betting sites.

✏️ American League Rookie of the Year bets

Here are the AL Rookie of the Year bets the SBR team is making throughout the 2026 MLB season.

Brennan: I bet on Kazuma Okamoto simply because I think he offers the best combination of pedigree and upside. I think Kevin McGonigle is a super talented true rookie, but Okamoto had a 210 wRC+ in Japan last year. He hit 41 homers in 2023, and he plays in one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in all of baseball. He's a near-lock to play every day, and he should be trading as the favorite. Since he isn't, this is my bet to make ahead of Opening Day.

I previously took a punt on Spencer Jones for a small, 0.25-unit wager, and he'll start the season in the minors as I expected. However, his ceiling is sky-high, so if Giancarlo Stanton gets hurt early (as he tends to do), the door could swing open for Jones.

Saracini: Looks like I missed out on some value here, as I bet on Okamoto just days before it was announced McGonigle made the Tigers' Opening Day roster. It's almost like when to place your bet is important. Regardless, as Brennan said above, Okamoto is a lock to play every day, will be well protected in the Blue Jays' lineup, and will have plenty of opportunities to cash in runs. Lock this in before it's too late.

🔢 National League Rookie of the Year odds 2026

Latest MLB Rookie of the Year odds for the National League via our best sports betting apps.

✏️ National League Rookie of the Year bets

Here are the NL Rookie of the Year bets the SBR team is making throughout the 2026 MLB season.

Brennan: I hate going this chalky on the Rookie of the Year market, but McLean doesn't feel like a rookie. He's getting drafted in fantasy as a staff ace. We just saw him hold his own against the WBC champions in the final. Meanwhile, we don't even know when Griffin will get called up or how good he'll be when he is. The rest of the market is, more or less a mystery box, and yes we had to pay via these short odds, but I'll take the boat seven days of the week. 

📈 MLB Rookie of the Year opening odds

Odds from November 2025 via DraftKings.

📜 AL Rookie of the Year betting history

📜 NL Rookie of the Year betting history

❓ MLB Rookie of the Year FAQs

Who are the Rookie of the Year favorites?

Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle is the AL favorite after making the major-league roster, and Mets pitcher Nolan McLean leads the way in the NL after pitching in the WBC final.

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. 10. We expect the 2026 awards to be announced sometime in mid-November.

Who won the Rookie of the Year awards last year?

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin took the honors in the AL and NL, respectively.