MLB Rookie of the Year Odds 2026: McGonigle and Stewart Best in AL and NL

The MLB Rookie of the Year races are entering the final week, with Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart emerging as massive betting favourites in their respective leagues. While both have built commanding positions in the latest odds, there is still time for other rookies to make an impression and potentially shake up the races.

This page breaks down the AL Rookie of the Year odds and NL Rookie of the Year odds, highlighting the leaders and late-season contenders.

We’ve highlighted favorites, long shots, and trends in our MLB Rookie of the Year odds and analysis for you to lock in your pick. Head on over to our best sportsbooks delivering the top MLB odds prior to placing your MLB picks.

⚾ 2026 AL Rookie of the Year odds

Player	Current Odds	Implied Probability
Kevin McGonigle	-8000	98.77%
Parker Messick	+1600	5.88%
Payton Tolle	+7000	1.41%
Munetaka Murakami	+10000	0.99%
Kazuma Okamoto	+10000	0.99%

AL Rookie of the Year odds provided by bet365 – accurate as of September 21

⚾ 2026 NL Rookie of the Year odds

Player	Current Odds	Implied Probability
Sal Stewart	-2500	96.15%
Nolan McLean	+1600	5.88%
JJ Wetherholt	+2000	4.76%
Carson Benge	+7500	1.32%

NL Rookie of the Year odds provided by bet365 – accurate as of September 21

MLB Rookie of the Year Odds Favorites

  Kevin McGonigle odds to win AL Rookie of the Year | -8000

Kevin McGonigle has not looked back since passing Munetaka Murakami atop the AL Rookie of the Year odds, establishing himself as the clear betting favorite down the stretch. The Detroit Tigers shortstop is hitting .274 with 17 home runs, 70 RBIs and a .376 on-base percentage while leading all AL rookies with 6.8 WAR.

McGonigle’s impressive rookie campaign has even briefly put him in the conversation in the MLB MVP odds, a reflection of just how productive he has been in his first full season. With his combination of consistency, plate discipline and overall production, McGonigle has built a substantial advantage over Parker Messick and the rest of the AL Rookie of the Year field.

  Sal Stewart odds to win NL Rookie of the Year | -2500

Sal Stewart has surged to the top of the NL Rookie of the Year odds and now sits as a massive betting favorite after overtaking Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman has put together a historic rookie campaign, entering the final stretch with 31 home runs and 107 RBI, with his RBI total leading all of MLB.

Stewart has continued to separate himself with his production at the plate, earning his second NL Rookie of the Month honor after hitting .304 with eight home runs and 21 RBI in August. His August surge came at a crucial point in the race, while Wetherholt’s wrist injury further shifted the NL Rookie of the Year odds in Stewart’s favor.

With Stewart firmly atop the NL Rookie of the Year odds, his power numbers and consistency have put him in position to cap one of the most productive rookie seasons in recent Reds history. He is already the only Reds rookie to record a 30-homer, 100-RBI season, joining an exclusive group of MLB rookies to reach both marks.

MLB Rookie of the Year Odds Sleeper Picks

  Kazuma Okamoto odds to win AL Rookie of the Year | +10000 odds (AL ROY)

Early this season, it was Kazuma Okamoto’s Toronto Blue Jays teammate Trey Yesavage who garnered much of the attention in AL Rookie of the Year odds conversations. However, with Yesavage missing time due to injury and Okamoto heating up down the stretch, the Japanese transfer has emerged as an intriguing sleeper for the award.

Okamoto has played a key role in keeping the Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card race, recently reaching 33 home runs and 89 RBI through 150 games. He also owns the Blue Jays’ rookie home run record after passing Eric Hinske’s previous mark of 24, while becoming one of just three rookies to reach 30 home runs in 2026.

His production has also put him among the more notable rookie sluggers in recent MLB records history. While Okamoto remains a long shot in the AL Rookie of the Year odds, his recent form makes him an interesting sleeper pick, particularly with Toronto still fighting for a postseason spot.

  Carson Benge odds to win NL Rookie of the Year | +7500

Carson Benge has risen rapidly up the odds board in the second half of the season, making him an intriguing sleeper in the NL Rookie of the Year odds. The New York Mets outfielder has continued to build his case with a combination of offensive production and strong defense, including an MLB-leading nine outfield assists as of late August.

Benge’s recent surge has helped push him into the heart of the Rookie of the Year conversation alongside teammates Sal Stewart and Nolan McLean. He also made headlines in September with a standout performance against the Yankees, homering off Gerrit Cole while making a full-extension diving catch to rob Aaron Judge.

Carson Benge odds to win NL Rookie of the Year shortened from +1000 to +650 at one point in late August before drifting back into longshot territory. With Stewart now firmly atop the market and Benge still viewed as a long shot, his combination of offensive upside and defensive impact makes him an intriguing sleeper in the NL Rookie of the Year odds.

📖 How to read MLB Rookie of the Year odds

Reading MLB Rookie of the Year odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600.

🤔 Who decides who wins the MLB Rookie of the Year Award?

The MLB Rookie of the Year Award is decided by the members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Two writers from each MLB city cast their ballots by ranking their top three players. Points are awarded based on their rankings to determine the AL Rookie of the Year and NL Rookie of the Year.

The winners of the two Rookie of the Year awards are typically announced in mid-November as part of a week-long series of award reveals featuring the MLB MVP, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year and Cy Young Award.

💰 How to bet on the MLB MVP odds

Placing a futures bet on the MLB Rookie of the Year odds is a five-step process that focuses on finding the best value.

1. Choose a Bookmaker and Compare Odds

Start by comparing Rookie of the Year odds across multiple legal sportsbooks (e.g., bet365, Stake). Odds for longshot candidates can vary significantly (+2000 vs. +2500), directly impacting your potential return. Selecting the best price ensures maximum value for your bet.

2. Sign Up and Deposit Funds

Complete the online registration with the chosen bookmaker, providing necessary personal details for identity verification. When depositing funds, consider any available welcome bonuses, as these offers can effectively reduce the risk on your initial portfolio investment.

3. Locate the Futures Market

Once logged in, navigate the bookmaker’s menu to find the market. The path is typically: MLB → Futures → Regular Season Awards or Awards → AL Rookie of the Year and NL Rookie of the Year.

4. Select Your Bets and Enter Stakes

Identify your 3-4 preferred longshot players and click on their odds to add them to your bet slip. For each selection, enter the same wagering amount (stake) to create your diversified portfolio. It is crucial to place these as individual straight bets, not a parlay.

5. Review and Place the Bet

Before finalizing, review the bet slip to confirm the players, the locked-in odds, and the total amount risked. Once satisfied, submit the bets to secure your longshot odds for the entire MLB season.

💸 Key Betting Strategies for MLB Rookie of the Year Odds

The following three strategies focus on maximizing value, managing risk and exploiting market inefficiencies across the MLB Season.

1. The Preseason Portfolio (Maximizing Odds)

The core of this strategy is maximizing initial value by placing multiple, small, diversified bets immediately after the odds are released. Your focus should be on 3 to 4 longshot rookies who are in situations offering high-volume opportunities (e.g., weak incumbent starters ). By selecting odds of +2000 or higher, you are constructing a portfolio that diversifies risk. If any one of your selections breaks out, the return on the small, pooled stake is massive.

• Example: Placing $10 on four different rookies —Player A (+2500), B (+4000), C (+2000), and D (+3000) results in a total risk of $40.

2. Dynamic In-Season Monitoring and Adjustment (Identifying Breakouts)

The second stage involves rigorous monitoring of your longshots during the first half of the season (April-June) to identify an odds-shortening breakout. You are tracking a sustained run of excellent production (e.g., a slugger hitting 10+ home runs in the first half of the season or a pitcher recording a dominant sub-3.00 ERA). This breakout performance will dramatically shift the market and prepare you for the third strategic step. Volume and consistency are the only metrics that matter here, as they validate the initial preseason bet.

• Example: Your $10 bet on Player B at +4000 sees their odds plummet to +300 after a dominant stretch where they lead all rookies in batting average, home runs, RBI, ERA or any other statistical category, confirming their status as an award contender.

3. The Calculated Mid-Season Hedge (Guaranteeing Profit)

This final, crucial strategy is pure risk management designed to lock in a guaranteed net profit. If your initial longshot has become a top favorite, you identify their closest rival and calculate the precise stake needed to place a bet on that rival. This is the “hedge bet.” The goal is to ensure that regardless of which of the two top candidates ultimately wins the award, you walk away with a guaranteed, significant return on your small initial investment, effectively taking risk off the table late in the season.

• Example: With Player B at +300, and their rival, Player E, at +500, you calculate an $80 stake on Player E. This maneuver guarantees a net profit of at least $320 (if B wins) or $390 (if E wins), securing a massive return on your initial $40 risk.

📈 MLB Rookie of the Year Betting Trends

When wagering on the MLB Rookie of the Year odds or any other MLB individual award futures, it is always wise to research betting trends that have been established over the years. Here is a look at some key trends to consider before placing this season’s bets.

• It’s rare for closers/relievers to win a ROTY award. Devin Williams won the NL ROTY in 2020, making him the first reliever to win since Craig Kimbrel in 2011.
• Hitters account for about 64% of winners while pitchers account for 36% of winners.
• Nearly 1 in 3 ROY winners are outfielders.
• Shortstops win more ROY awards than any other infield position.
• ROY winners typically debut before June. Fade rookies that are expected to debut in the second half of the regular season.
• The Dodgers have the most ROY winners in MLB history (18), nine more than the next franchise.

🏆 Previous MLB Rookie of the Year winners by position

Our best MLB betting sites

To make sure you get the most value on your MLB odds, go to the best MLB betting sites prior to placing your wagers throughout the regular season.

Looking for MLB insights?

If you’re looking for expert insight on the MLB, take a look at some of our other articles:

• World Series Odds
• MLB Prop Bets
• MLB Home Run Leader Odds
• MLB MVP Odds
• MLB Reliever of the Year Odds
• MLB Comeback Player of the Year Odds

🏆 Previous MLB Rookie of the Year Award Winners

Year	AL ROY	NL ROY
2025	Nick Kurtz	Drake Baldwin
2024	Luis Gil	Paul Skenes
2023	Gunnar Henderson	Corbin Carroll
2022	Julio Rodriguez	Michael Harris II
2021	Randy Arozarena	Jonathan India
2020	Kyle Lewis	Devin Williams
2019	Yordan Alvarez	Pete Alonso
2018	Shohei Ohtani	Ronald Acuna Jr.
2017	Aaron Judge	Cody Bellinger
2016	Michael Fulmer	Corey Seager

❓ MLB Rookie of the Year odds FAQs

What are the current MLB Rookie of the Year odds?

The MLB Rookie of the Year odds currently have Kevin McGonigle as the heavy favorite in the American League and Sal Stewart leading the National League. Both players have established significant advantages in their respective races, although contenders such as Parker Messick and Nolan McLean remain in the mix.

Who is favored in the AL Rookie of the Year odds?

Kevin McGonigle is the clear favorite in the AL Rookie of the Year odds, with his price sitting around -400 in the latest markets. Parker Messick is the closest challenger, while Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto are longer shots.

Who is favored in the NL Rookie of the Year odds?

Sal Stewart is currently the favorite in the NL Rookie of the Year odds. The Reds first baseman recently overtook Cardinals infielder JJ Wehtherholt, who was favored for much of the season. New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge has emerged as an intriguing longer-priced contender.

Can a rookie still make a late push for Rookie of the Year?

Yes. With more than a month remaining in the regular season, a strong finish can still influence the race, particularly in the more competitive NL market. Recent performance, playing time, WAR and overall production can all strengthen a candidate’s case.

Which Rookie of the Year long shots are worth watching?

Carson Benge is one of the more interesting NL long shots after putting together a strong August and gaining momentum in the betting market. Parker Messick is another name to monitor in the AL, while Nolan McLean remains the primary challenger to Stewart in the NL.

When will the MLB Rookie of the Year award be decided?

The MLB Rookie of the Year award will be voted on following the conclusion of the regular season. However, the winner won’t be announced until mid-November as part of a week-long series of award reveals featuring the MLB MVP, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year and Cy Young Award.