⚾ MLB Rookie of the Year Odds & Favorites 2026: McGonigle Leads AL, Wetherholt Paces NL
There's some significant intrigue in both races as we look at the MLB Rookie of the Year odds.
That begins in the AL, where surging Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle has long leaped past Munetaka Murakami. McGonigle is now the heavy favorite at -140 compared to +600 for Murakami and Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana. But just as it already has once, there's plenty of time for that race to swing back again.
In the NL, St. Louis Cardinals standout JJ Wetherholt still leads at +120, though his advantage over the Cincinnati Reds' Sal Stewart at +200 isn't wide.
π’ 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.
βοΈ 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.
| Bet (odds) | SBR analyst | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kazuma Okamoto AL Rookie of the Year (+450 via FanDuel) | Dustin Saracini | March 22, 2026 |
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, 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.
π’ 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.
βοΈ 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.
| Bet (odds) | SBR analyst | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Konnor Griffin NL Rookie of the Year (+700 via Caesars) | Dustin Saracini | April 2, 2026 |
Saracini: Playing premium defense at shortstop or outfield every day for a team fully invested in his star potential, Griffinβs immense everyday volume makes him a steal at +700 through Caesars.
ποΈ MLB Rookie of the Year betting insights
Betting insights via BetMGM, current as of May 5.
American League Rookie of the Year
| Player | Current odds | Ticket % | Handle % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin McGonigle | +145 | 27.6% | 31.1% |
| Chase DeLauter | +900 | 14.5% | 14% |
| Carter Jensen | +2000 | 10% | 10.5% |
| Munetaka Murakami | +140 | 9.1% | 8.5% |
| Samuel Basallo | +3000 | 6.5% | 5.4% |
National League Rookie of the Year
| Player | Current odds | Ticket % | Handle % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konnor Griffin | +750 | 17.2% | 41.3% |
| Sal Stewart | +170 | 13.9% | 12% |
| JJ Wetherholt | +450 | 12.2% | 9.9% |
| Bubba Chandler | +6000 | 8.1% | 4.9% |
| Justin Crawford | +10000 | 7.3% | 3.9% |
π MLB Rookie of the Year opening odds
Odds from November 2025 via DraftKings.
| American League | Odds | National League | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Yesavage | +190 | Nolan McLean | +300 |
| Kazuma Okamoto | +450 | Konnor Griffin | +400 |
| Kevin McGonigle | +550 | Sal Stewart | +500 |
| Samuel Basallo | +700 | Moises Ballesteros | +700 |
| Connelly Early | +900 | JJ Wetherholt | +700 |
| Chase DeLauter | +900 | Bubba Chandler | +700 |
| Carter Jensen | +1000 | Jonah Tong | +1300 |
| Travis Bazzana | +1100 | Bryce Eldridge | +1300 |
| Walker Jenkins | +1200 | Owen Caissie | +1500 |
| Payton Tolle | +1500 | Justin Crawford | +1700 |
| Colt Emerson | +2200 | Joe Mack | +1900 |
| Brice Matthews | +2500 | Rhett Lowder | +2000 |
| Jhostynxon Garcia | +2800 | Quinn Matthews | +2500 |
| Harry Ford | +4000 | Carson Benge | +2500 |
| Spencer Jones | +5000 | Andrew Painter | +2500 |
| George Lombard Jr. | +5000 | Alex Freeland | +2500 |
π AL Rookie of the Year betting history
| Year | Player | Position | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nick Kurtz | 1B | +6600 |
| 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 |
π NL Rookie of the Year betting history
| Year | Player | Position | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drake Baldwin | C | +2000 |
| 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 |
β MLB Rookie of the Year FAQs
Who are the Rookie of the Year favorites?
Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle is the AL favorite at -140 odds, while St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt is the favorite in the NL at +120.
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.
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