MLB Rookie of the Year Odds 2025: AL & NL Favorites, Predictions

The 2024 MLB season featured an exciting Rookie of the Year race in both the American League and National League.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes claimed the honor in the NL, establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in the sport. He went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA, recording 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil earned the same accolade in the AL after posting a 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA. He struck out 171 batters in 151 2/3 innings of work.

Based on the preseason MLB odds in the spring, both players were long shots in this market. Skenes started with a +3000 value, while Gil was off the board in the preseason and as long as 50/1 in the spring.

Will the Rookie of the Year competition be just as thrilling in 2025?

AL Rookie of the Year Odds: Favorites

The 2025 AL Rookie of the Year odds market begins with three favorites, as Jasson Dominguez (Yankees OF), Coby Mayo (Orioles IF), and Jackson Jobe (Tigers RHP) all start with a +600 value.

If this year’s race is anything like 2024, don’t be surprised to see some movement at the top of the board. Wyatt Langford started as a +225 favorite last season, but there were four favorites before Gil claimed the honor.

While I cashed a 50/1 ticket on Gil, I’d need a great price to bet on another pitcher in this market. Position players simply have the advantage of having more opportunities to see the field.

Kristian Campbell (+1100) stands out as my favorite value pick based on the initial market. He was MLB Pipeline’s Breakout Player of the Year last season, slashing .330/.439/.558 with 20 home runs and 24 steals across three levels.

Campbell, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft, has a solid path to the majors as the Red Sox’s second baseman.

Prediction: Kristian Campbell (+1100)

NL Rookie of the Year Odds: Favorites

For the second year in a row, a Dodgers pitcher opens as the betting favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto began last year with +250 odds after signing a 12-year, $325 million contract. This season, Roki Sasaki will start at a +300 value after making the leap from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB via a much cheaper deal during the 2025 international signing period.

Don’t let the contract fool you, though. Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-hander, will be a valuable addition to an elite Dodgers’ rotation. He posted a 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts in four seasons in the NPB.

Still, this race will be competitive. Dylan Crews, who played 31 games for the Nationals last season, has some experience and will be a formidable contender.

I also like Jordan Lawlar’s value at +1500. Due to injuries, Lawlar missed most of 2024 but still hit .318/.417/.899 in 23 minor-league games. The Diamondbacks could use him as a shortstop if he is ready to go in the spring.

Prediction: Jordan Lawlar (+1500)

2024 AL Rookie of the Year Voting

2024 NL Rookie of the Year Voting

List of AL & NL Rookie of the Year Winners

*There was only one award for both leagues in 1947 and 1948.

MLB Teams With Most Rookie of the Year Awards

The Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers have the most Rookie of the Year Awards (18):

Dodgers: 18
Yankees: 10
Braves: 9
Athletics: 8
Orioles: 8
Reds: 8

Has a Rookie Ever Won the Cy Young Award?

Only one rookie has won the Cy Young Award: Fernando Valenzuela.

Valenzuela was a 21-year-old rookie for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 when he led the MLB in strikeouts and lead the Dodgers to the World Series.

Has an MLB Rookie Ever Won MVP?

Two rookies have won MVP: Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki.

Lynn won AL MVP in 1975 after leading the Boston Red Sox to 95 regular-season wins and a World Series appearance in the World Series. Ichiro won AL MVP in 2001 as the Seattle Mariners tied the MLB record for most wins in a season (116).