MLB Rookie of the Year Odds & Predictions
One of the popular MLB futures bets is the Rookie of the Year award. Several players compete for the coveted award at the end of the season, and you will always find MLB Rookie of the Year odds at sportsbooks.
This guide unpacks everything you should know about wagering on the Rookie of the Year in the MLB. We will share the lowdown on the eligibility criteria for the award, how the voting works, how to find reputable sites to place your wagers plus insights into the top contenders for the 2026 honors. Come tag along to get the scoop.
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Overview of the MLB Rookie of the Year Award
The Major League Baseball (MLB) Rookie of the Year (RoY) award is given to the two best-performing players in the respective leagues. Below is a breakdown of how the top-performing rookies are determined, including insight into the voting process.
How many winners are there?
If you’re also looking into MLB Cy Young odds and looking into the best pitchers of the season, you would be familiar with the two leagues in the MLB: the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). Like the Cy Young award, the Rookie of the Year award is also given to one top-performing player from each league. Therefore, two RoY awards are handed out at the end of the season: one to the AL rookie and one to the NL rookie.
As the name suggests, only rookies are allowed to compete for this annual award. The selection criteria are straightforward, and to be considered a rookie, a player cannot exceed the following thresholds in their previous seasons:
- 130 at bats
- 50 innings pitched
- 45 total days on an active Major League roster before September 1st
Who determines the winners?
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) decides who wins the Rookie of the Year award for the American League and National League. Two writers from each MLB city vote on the top rookies of the season: 15 writers for the AL and 15 for the NL.
In total, there will be 30 votes for the Rookie of the Year from the BBWAA. All votes must be submitted before the start of the postseason, and the winners are announced towards the end of the playoffs. Since voting is conducted before the playoffs, no postseason performances will affect the voting.
The BBWAA uses a weighted point system, and for the RoY award, each writer will rank their top three candidates on a 5-3-1 point scale. The top pick for each writer receives 5 points, the second choice gets 3 points, and the third choice is awarded one point.
Once all votes are submitted, the votes and scores are counted, and the three players with the highest scores are announced as the three finalists for the award. Typically, a week later, the RoY winners are announced, and as shared, there will be an American League RoY winner and a National League RoY winner.
Previous MLB Rookie of the Year winners
Jackie Robinson was the inaugural Rookie of the Year winner in 1947, and the RoY award is often referred to as the Jackie Robinson Award. There have been several standout players who have claimed this honor throughout the years, and the table below details the previous winners from 2020 to 2025:
| Year | American League RoY | National League RoY |
| 2025 | Nick Kurtz (Athletics) | Drake Baldwin (Braves) |
| 2024 | Luis Gil (Yankees) | Paul Skenes (Pirates) |
| 2023 | Gunnar Henderson (Orioles) | Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks) |
| 2022 | Julio Rodriguez (Mariners) | Michael Harris II (Braves) |
| 2021 | Randy Arozarena (Rays) | Jonathan India (Reds) |
| 2020 | Kyle Lewis (Mariners) | Devin Williams (Brewers) |
Can you wager on the Rookie of the Year winners?
Betting on the MLB Rookie of the Year is available at the best US sportsbooks. Similar to the MLB Home Run leader odds, there are also competitive odds for the RoY winner, and betting is available during the course of the regular season for several eligible players. Once the three finalists are announced, odds will be available only for the selected three rookies.
However, please remember that placing real money wagers will only be permitted at sportsbooks that are available in US states that have legalized online sports betting. You should first double-check the real money betting regulations in your state before placing any MLB Rookie of the Year wagers.
How to read MLB Rookie of the Year odds
When using US sportsbooks, regardless of whether it is MLB MVP odds or RoY odds, the default odds display is American. Of course, you can change the odds display to decimal or even fractional if you prefer. However, the default is generally American, and it is easy to read these odds. Below are examples of how to read American odds for the favorites and the underdogs:
Munetaka Murakami -110 to win AL RoY
In the example above, the Chicago White Sox rookie is slated as the favorite for the American League award at -110. Since the American odds display the favorites below even money with a (-) before the odds, this means that you must place a wager of $110 on Murakami to win to receive $100. If Murakami is crowned the AL RoY, you will win $210 (stake included).
Sal Stewart +400 to win NL RoY
In the example above, the Cincinnati Reds first baseman is priced at +400 to win the National League award. Underdogs above even money are priced with a (+) before the odds, meaning that a $100 wager on Stewart will return $500 ($400 in profit), should he win the National League Rookie of the Year award.
How to find the best betting sites with Rookie of the Year MLB odds
When searching for Rookie of the Year odds for the MLB, there is more to it than just finding the most competitive odds. It is also important that you find safe and trusted sportsbooks. To give you a helping hand, below are the core features you should evaluate when finding MLB sportsbooks:
- Availability - First off, you must verify that sports betting is available in your state. Thereafter, only use betting websites that are available in your state. You can find the licensing information by reading the terms and conditions page of the sportsbook.
- Security - The top brands will ensure all bettors have access to a secure website. Check that there are also advanced safety measures in place, such as password-protected accounts, an encrypted banking platform and access to responsible gambling tools.
- Bonuses - You will find plenty of MLB bonuses throughout the regular and postseason. Spend time on the promotions page and double-check that there are diverse bonuses, including welcome offers, free bets, match bonuses and VIP rewards.
- Fair bonus terms - After checking for ongoing offers, you should also read the bonus terms and conditions. Ensure that there are fair bonus terms, with low wagering requirements and long validity periods.
- Diverse markets - Besides RoY odds, there should be a comprehensive MLB betting focus. The markets should cover pre-match and in-play betting, including MLB player props, futures like MVP winners and totals runs lines.
- Customer service - If you have any questions, then there should be responsive customer support. The top brands will have several support options available, including live chat, email and a FAQ page. Spend time actually testing each method and double-check that the agents are friendly, knowledgeable, and provide quick, accurate feedback.
- Mobile wagering - Wagering on the go is a requirement for many bettors, and there should be a mobile-optimized website and dedicated betting apps. These mobile platforms should mirror the desktop version and include the same features, so you can place wagers, claim bonuses and make withdrawals.
- Safe payments - The banking platforms at MLB sportsbooks must be encrypted so bettors private details are never leaked. There should also be diverse, secure payment methods, including debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
2026 Contenders - Current Rookie of the Year MLB Odds
At the time of writing this guide, several players are in contention to win the AL and NL RoY awards. Below are some of the top contenders for the award in 2026, starting with the American League top-performers.
American League contenders
The race for the Jackie Robinson Award in the American League is competitive, with several players putting their hands up for consideration. Three of these players who have stood out in the opening months of the campaign are Munetaka Murakami, Kevin McGonigle and Chase DeLauter.
Munetaka Murakami - Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox first baseman has had an impressive 2026 campaign so far, leading several rookies in most statistics, with 17+ home runs and 79+ total bases. His on-base percentage also catches the eye, averaging .364 for the season. Currently, Murakami is one of the most fancied AL RoY contenders, with odds of +165.
Kevin McGonigle - Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle has wasted no time in putting everyone on notice in the American League. He ranks among the best players for several statistics, including an on-base percentage of .395 and 51+ hits and 12+ doubles. Like Murakami for the Sox, McGonigle is another popular choice for the AL RoY, with his odds around the +165 mark as well.
Chase DeLauter - Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter has had a solid campaign, averaging .299 with the bat and 17+ extra base hits in 2026. While he ranks among the outsiders for the award in the American League, he represents the value right now at +600.
National League contenders
Like the American League, the MLB National League Rookie of the Year odds are also a close-run race with no contender running away with things. The betting is open with Nolan McLean and JJ Wetherholt the leading fancies priced around the +280 mark, while Sal Stewart is a lurker at +400.
Nolan McLean - New York Mets
New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean made his debut in 2025 and threw 48 innings, thus ensuring he kept his RoY eligibility for 2026. McLean has had a stellar start to 2026 and leads NL rookies with 69+ strikeouts and ranks among the top pitchers for ERA, allowing an average of 2.78 runs. The Mets novice is one of the top contenders for the NL RoY, currently with odds of +280.
JJ Wetherholt - St. Louis Cardinals
JJ Wetherholt has looked good so far in 2026 with a .350 on-base percentage, 35+ runs scored and 9+ home runs. His impressive stats have put him in contention for the big award in the National League, and he joins McLean at the top of the boards with a price of +280 to be crowned the National League Rookie of the Year.
Sal Stewart - Cincinnati Reds
Sal Stewart caught the attention of many in his brief 2025 debut season, where he hit five dingers in 18 games. He has carried that form into this year, with 12+ home runs, and is a key player for the Cincinnati Reds. Currently, his MLB NL RoY odds are hovering around +400, and he represents the early value.
Tips when placing your Rookie of the Year wagers
Placing MLB future bets like Rookie of the Year winners is different to wagering on moneylines or the number of runs scored in a specific innings. There is much more research involved, and you must also account for potential player injuries. Before you can get stuck in, here are a few tips to follow to maximize your experience:
- Always do your research before placing any bets. Do not just wager on your favorite players, it is best to conduct thorough research by evaluating player form, recent records and any potential injuries.
- Remember that these bets are only settled at the end of the postseason. This means that if a player gets injured during the season, there is a lower chance that they will actually win the best rookie award. The majority of sportsbooks will also not void any RoY wagers if players miss large chunks of the season. Therefore, you should stake accordingly and keep your RoY wagers to a few units rather than a large portion of your bankroll.
- If you are claiming any bonuses to use for your outright wagers, always jot down the specific terms, such as the wagering requirements and validity periods. It makes no sense to use a free bet on a RoY wager if the free bet will expire before the winner can be announced, as by doing so, you will forfeit your free bet.
- Do not forget that the playoffs hold no significance for BBWAA awards like the Rookie of the Year. Therefore, even if a player has an impressive postseason, the voting has already been tallied, so don’t take wagers on the back of standout playoff games.
Pros and cons: 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year odds
- Betting is available throughout the season
- Competitive odds
- Tailored promos are offered
- Player injuries play a significant role
Verdict - The best sportsbooks offer MLB Rookie of the Year odds
That concludes our guide, and by now you should be able to see why everyone enjoys a wager or two on the MLB Rookie of the Year. Besides competitive odds, you have a vested interest throughout the season, which definitely enhances the experience. As covered, while it is easy to find RoY odds at the top sportsbooks, plenty of research is required, and you have to keep your stakes low, especially as player injuries play a significant role.
If you are looking for reputable US gambling websites for your Rookie of the Year wagers, then feel free to browse the banners on this page. Each of these brands are licensed to operate in several states, and tailored promos are available, including exclusive welcome offers, price boosts, and match bonuses.
MLB Rookie of the Year odds FAQs
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