- Get the latest betting odds on the top favorites for MLB Comeback Player of the Year.
- Garrett Crochet and Chris Sale won these awards in 2024.
- Mike Trout and Ronald Acuña Jr. begin as betting favorites this season.
MLB’s Comeback Player of the Year race could be as entertaining as ever, with several high-profile candidates expected to be in the mix.
Mike Trout enters as the betting favorite in the American League, but Jacob deGrom, Shane McClanahan, and Félix Bautista are not far behind. Ronald Acuña Jr. is the favorite in the National League, though Sandy Alcántara looks dominant this spring.
So, who will come out on top in these competitive races?
Here’s a look at the latest MLB odds and my predictions for this year’s Comeback Player of the Year market:
AL Comeback Player of the Year Odds 2025: Favorites
| Player | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Trout | Angels | +300 |
| Jacob deGrom | Rangers | +450 |
| Félix Bautista | Orioles | +500 |
| Shane McClanahan | Rays | +600 |
| Bo Bichette | Blue Jays | +600 |
| Trevor Story | Red Sox | +1000 |
| Max Scherzer | Blue Jays | +1600 |
| Josh Jung | Rangers | +1600 |
| Evan Carter | Rangers | +1800 |
| Byron Buxton | Twins | +2200 |
| Casey Mize | Tigers | +2200 |
| José Urquidy | Astros | +2500 |
| Shane Bieber | Guardians | +2500 |
| Liam Hendriks | Red Sox | +2500 |
| Lucas Giolito | Red Sox | +2500 |
Trout is a deserving favorite in this market because, when healthy, he is one of the best players in the league.
But that’s precisely the problem.
In 2024, Trout played 29 games. It marked the third time in the past four years that he’s played 82 games or fewer. He will transition to a corner outfield spot this year, but I don’t want any part of the 33-year-old outfielder as the favorite in a volatile market.
There is an argument that McClanahan should be the favorite in this market anyway. After returning from Tommy John surgery, the Tampa Bay Rays’ left-hander could have his best season.
McClanahan, 27, is a two-time All-Star and finished sixth in the 2022 AL Cy Young race. He’s posted a 3.02 ERA in three MLB seasons, looking like an ace whenever he’s on the mound.
If McClanahan is in the Cy Young race again this year (20/1 odds in that market), I expect him to be the obvious pick for this award.
Prediction: Shane McClanahan (+600)
NL Comeback Player of the Year Odds 2025: Favorites
| Player | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Acuña Jr. | Braves | +250 |
| Spencer Strider | Braves | +400 |
| Sandy Alcántara | Marlins | +450 |
| Matt McLain | Reds | +550 |
| Brandon Woodruff | Brewers | +650 |
| Kodai Senga | Mets | +900 |
| Jung Hoo Lee | Giants | +1600 |
| Robbie Ray | Giants | +1600 |
| Dustin May | Dodgers | +1800 |
| Christian Encarnacion-Strand | Reds | +2000 |
| Christian Yelich | Brewers | +2000 |
| Kris Bryant | Rockies | +2000 |
| Justin Verlander | Giants | +2200 |
| Jordan Walker | Cardinals | +2200 |
| Jordan Montgomery | Diamondbacks | +2200 |
A position player is also the betting favorite in the NL, despite this award going to two pitchers last year.
Acuña is a particularly questionable favorite, as he might not be available at the start of the season. I also expect him to be less aggressive in the base paths when he does return.
As a result, the NL Comeback Player of the Year competition is wide open.
Personally, I’d make Alcántara the betting favorite in this market. He won the NL Cy Young award in 2022 and could return to that level of dominance after missing the 2024 campaign.
However, I’m slightly concerned about the risk of Alcántara being traded to an AL team this year if the Miami Marlins lean into their rebuild.
Right-hander Kodai Senga certainly won’t be traded, and he might be the key to the New York Mets contending for an NL East title. Senga finished second in the Rookie of the Year race and seventh in Cy Young voting during his debut campaign in 2023.
If Senga reaches his full potential this season, I think he’s live to win this award after starting one game last year.
Prediction: Kodai Senga (+900)
List of AL & NL Comeback Player of the Year Winners
| Year | AL Winner | NL Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Garrett Crochet | Chris Sale |
| 2023 | Liam Hendriks | Cody Bellinger |
| 2022 | Justin Verlander | Albert Pujols |
| 2021 | Trey Mancini | Buster Posey |
| 2020 | Salvador Perez | Daniel Bard |
| 2019 | Carlos Carrasco | Josh Donaldson |
| 2018 | David Price | Jonny Venters |
| 2017 | Mike Moustakas | Greg Holland |
| 2016 | Rick Porcello | Anthony Rendon |
| 2015 | Prince Fielder | Matt Harvey |
| 2014 | Chris Young | Casey McGehee |
| 2013 | Mariano Rivera | Francisco Liriano |
| 2012 | Fernando Rodney | Buster Posey |
| 2011 | Jacoby Ellsbury | Lance Berkman |
| 2010 | Francisco Liriano | Tim Hudson |
| 2009 | Aaron Hill | Chris Carpenter |
| 2008 | Cliff Lee | Brad Lidge |
| 2007 | Carlos Pena | Dmitri Young |
| 2006 | Jim Thome | Nomar Garciaparra |
| 2005 | Jason Giambi | Ken Griffey Jr. |
When was the Comeback Player of the Year Award Introduced in MLB?
Major League Baseball introduced a Comeback Player of the Year award in 2005, awarding one player in each league who reemerged on the field during the season.
Who Votes for MLB Comeback Player of the Year?
The 30 club beat reporters from MLB.com (one per team) vote for a winner for each league from a list of 30 candidates.
Related Articles
Baseball Betting Lines at BetMGM
You can view daily baseball betting lines at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
From prop bets and parlays to World Series odds and MVP odds, there are a variety betting opportunities for everyone regardless of fandom or sports betting expertise.
If you don’t have an account, register today with BetMGM’s welcome offer. Once you have an account, check for daily sports betting promos.
