Welcome to January! As free agency continues to move at a snail's pace, we've at least seen some international free agents, some of whom will be in the running for the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year awards.
MLB odds are available for Japanese stars Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai, who signed with the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros, respectively. Toronto Blue Jays SP Trey Yesavage remains the AL favorite, and he may soon be joined by new teammate Kazuma Okamoto, who recently signed North of the Border.
On the NL side, New York Mets SP Nolan McLean remains the favorite, which is where he was as soon as the World Series ended. Still, Sal Stewart and JJ Wetherholt aren't far behind.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are worth monitoring, especially as they may open the season with infielder Konnor Griffin on the roster. He's currently +1400 to win NL ROY, and he's widely seen as the best prospect in baseball.
Here are the latest odds to win AL and NL Rookie of the Year.
Odds to win 2026 AL Rookie of the Year
| Player |  |
 Trey Yesavage |
+290 |
 Munetaka Murakami |
+380 |
 Tatsuya Imai |
+500 |
 Kevin McGonigle |
+600 |
 Samuel Basallo |
+700 |
 Chase DeLauter |
+950 |
 Carter Jensen |
+1000 |
 Connelly Early |
+1000 |
| Travis Bazzana |
+1300 |
 Walker Jenkins |
+1600 |
| Payton Tolle |
+2000 |
 Colt Emerson |
+2500 |
| Brice Matthews |
+3000 |
| Hagen Smith |
+5000 |
 Carson Williams |
+5000 |
Odds as of 1-6.
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Odds to win 2025 NL Rookie of the Year
| Player | |
 Nolan McLean |
+330 |
 Sal Stewart |
+600 |
 JJ Wetherholt |
+700 |
 Moises Ballesteros |
+800 |
 Bubba Chandler |
+800 |
 Justin Crawford |
+1000 |
 Bryce Eldridge |
+1300 |
| Konnor Griffin |
+1400 |
| Owen Caissie |
+1700 |
| Jonah Tong |
+2000 |
| Carson Benge |
+2000 |
| Rhett Lowder |
+2200 |
 Joe Mack |
+2500 |
| Quinn Mathews |
+3000 |
| Jhostnyxon Garcia |
+3000 |
| Andrew Painter |
+3000 |
 Alex Freeland |
+3500 |
| Hunter Barco |
+4000 |
| Jett Williams |
+4500 |
| Chase Petty |
+5000 |
| Robby Snelling |
+5000 |
| Jaxon Wiggins |
+5000 |
Odds as of 1-6.
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Past Rookie of the Year winners
Previous AL RoY winners
Although all players have an equal chance of winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award, the honor has been claimed disproportionately by outfielders since its inception in 1949. Outfielders have 24 victories compared to 17 for pitchers and 17 for shortstops. Catchers are bringing up the rear with just two ROY victories over the past 73 years.
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Nick Kurtz (1B) |
| 2024 |  Luis Gil (SP) |
| 2023 | Gunnar Henderson (3B/SS) |
| 2022 | Julio Rodriguez (OF) |
| 2021 | Randy Arozarena (OF) |
| 2020 | Kyle Lewis (OF) |
| 2019 | Yordan Alvarez (OF) |
| 2018 |  Shohei Ohtani (P/OF) |
| 2017 |  Aaron Judge (OF) |
| 2016 | Michael Fulmer (SP) |
| 2015 | Carlos Correa (SS) |
| 2014 |  Jose Abreau (1B) |
| 2013 | Wil Myers (OF) |
Popular MLB futures markets
Previous NL RoY winners
No franchise has won more Rookie of the Year awards than the Dodgers. "The Blue Crew" have claimed 18 RoY trophies dating back to the club's early days in Brooklyn.
However, unlike the AL — where the West has been the recent home of the top rookies — the NL East has housed six of the last 13 RoYs, with a mix of outfielders, infielders, starting pitchers, a catcher, and even a reliever.
| Year | Player (Team) |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Drake Baldwin (C) |
| 2024 |  Paul Skenes (SP) |
| 2023 |  Corbin Carroll (OF) |
| 2022 | Michael Harris (OF) |
| 2021 |  Jonathan India (2B) |
| 2020 |  Devin Williams (RP) |
| 2019 | Pete Alonso (1B) |
| 2018 | Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF) |
| 2017 | Cody Bellinger (1B/OF) |
| 2016 | Cory Seager (SS) |
| 2015 |  Kris Bryant (3B) |
| 2014 | Jacob deGrom (SP) |
| 2013 |  Jose Fernandez (SP) |
MLB Rookie of the Year Awards FAQ
Fresh off his remarkable playoff run, Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage is the early favorite to win AL Rookie of the Year in 2026.
New York Mets SP Nolan McLean is the favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year.
Athletics 1B Nick Kurtz won the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year while Atlanta Braves C Drake Baldwin earned the NL honors.
MLB rules state a player is considered a rookie unless he has 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched, or 45 total days on an active MLB roster prior to September 1.
