MLB Futures: NL Rookie of the Year Odds

Whether you're in on Konnor Griffin or not, find out why Michael Rathburn is wagering on Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt for the NL Rookie of the Year award.

March 17, 2026

By:

Michael Rathburn

March 17, 2026

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MLB Futures: NL Rookie of the Year Odds

The 2026 MLB season is approaching rapidly, and it's time to zero in on the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

The favorite to claim the trophy is Konnor Griffin (+200), who is just 19 years old and was named Minor League Player of the Year in 2025. The rest of the field contains top contenders JJ Wetherholt and Nolan McLean, as well as the likes of Sal Stewart, Moises Ballesteros, Bubba Chandler, Owen Caissie and Bryce Eldridge.

NL Rookie of the Year Odds

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION	ODDS	PROJECTED ROLE
Konnor Griffin	PIT	SS	200	Starting SS
JJ Wetherholt	STL	SS	500	Starting 2B; #6 hitter
Nolan McLean	NYM	P	500	#2 Starter
Sal Stewart	CIN	1B	1300	1B; #5 Hitter
Moises Ballesteros	CHC	C/1B	1500	DH; #8 Hitter
Bubba Chandler	PIT	P	1600	#4 Starter
Owen Caissie	MIA	OF	1800	Starting RF; #9 hitter
Bryce Eldridge	SFG	1B	1900	DH; #8 Hitter
Justin Crawford	PHI	OF	2000	Starting CF; #9 hitter
Carson Benge	NYM	OF	2000	Starting RF; #9 hitter
Rhett Lowder	CIN	P	2500	Triple-A Pitcher
Logan Henderson	MIL	P	3000	#5 Starter
Andrew Painter	PHI	P	3000	#5 Starter
Robby Snelling	MIA	P	3500	Triple-A Pitcher
Quinn Mathews	STL	P	3500	Triple-A Pitcher
Joe Mack	MIA	C	3500	Triple-A Catcher
Jhostynxon Garcia	PIT	OF	4000	Backup OF
Thomas White	MIA	P	5000	Triple-A Pitcher
Jonah Tong	NYM	P	5000	Triple-A Pitcher
Charlie Condon	COL	1B	5000	Triple-A 1st Baseman
Aidan Miller	PHI	SS	5000	Triple-A Shortstop

The MLB season is around the corner, and you can get ahead of the game with the sportsbook promos and sports betting apps.

NL Rookie of the Year History

2025 – Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves
2024 – Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
2023 – Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
2022 – Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves
2021 – Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds
2020 – Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers
2019 – Pete Alonso, New York Mets
2018 – Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
2017 – Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
2016 – Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
2015 – Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

NL Rookie of the Year Benchmarking

Rookie of the Year bets are drastically different than MVP or Cy Young plays because we are dealing with so much unknown. The criteria shifts away from metrics and more towards volume.

40% Playing Time Certainty
25% Box Score Potential
15% Positional Edge
10% Team Context
10% Timeline/Eligibility Risk

NL Rookie of the Year Pick

JJ Wetherholt, 2B, STL (+500)

Wetherholt was the seventh pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and has the makings of a top ROY candidate. His low strikeout rate, high walk rate and power-speed combo gives him the best floor of anyone in the field.

AL Rookie of the Year Candidates

Nolan McLean, SP, NYM (+500)

Only one starting pitcher won this award in the 10 ten years, so by that alone it is an uphill battle for McLean. I will take a bite on him because he has a prominent role on a big-market team with World Series aspirations.

Sal Stewart, 1B, CIN (+1300)

Stewart presents great value in the middle of the pack, as he is slated to start at first base and hit fifth for the Reds. That should lead to plenty of RBI opportunities for the slugger. One hot streak in April and his odds will be cut in half.

AL Rookie of the Year Fade

Konnor Griffin, SS, PIT (+200)

As you have read in previous articles I have written, there is little value in the chalk when it comes to MLB futures, and Griffin is no exception. While he is going to be a great major league player, he's still not even a lock to break camp with the big club. Chances are he will do so and occupy a prominent spot in the lineup, but that is already baked in. Also, adjusting to the top level may not be easy for a 19-year-old. The best approach is to hope Griffin -- assuming he makes the cut -- gets off to a slow start and gets sent down. His odds would plummet, and that would be the time to strike.