Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin won the 2025 AL and NL Rookie of the Year awards, respectively, and we're already turning our attention to next year.
MLB odds are available for the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year, with Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage drawing the shortest number in the American League after a remarkable playoff run to the World Series. Since he only made three regular-season starts, Yesavage and his deadly splitter/slider combo remain eligible.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Kevin McGonigle rises through the Detroit Tigers' ranks. The 21-year-old shortstop is second on the board despite only reaching Double-A in 2025, but he is highly touted and hit 19 home runs across 88 minor-league games with a .305/.408/.583 slash line.
On the National League side of things, New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean is the current favorite. Like Yesavage, McLean made his MLB debut in 2025, posting a 2.06 ERA and 10.69 K/9 over eight starts.
He's followed by Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart, who joined the big-league club late last season, and a trio of names at +700, including JJ Wetherholt, a St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect who has yet to make his MLB debut.
Odds to win 2026 AL Rookie of the Year
| Player |  |
 Trey Yesavage |
+190 |
 Kevin McGonigle |
+550 |
 Samuel Basallo |
+700 |
 Connelly Early |
+900 |
 Chase DeLauter |
+900 |
 Carter Jensen |
+1000 |
| Travis Bazzana |
+1100 |
 Walker Jenkins |
+1100 |
| Payton Tolle |
+1500 |
 Colt Emerson |
+2200 |
 Brice Matthews |
+2500 |
| Jhostnyxon Garcia |
+2800 |
| Harry Ford |
+4000 |
Odds as of 11-12.
Odds to win 2025 NL Rookie of the Year
| Player | |
 Nolan McLean |
+300 |
 Sal Stewart |
+500 |
 Moises Ballesteros |
+700 |
 JJ Wetherholt |
+700 |
 Bubba Chandler |
+700 |
| Jonah Tong |
+1300 |
 Bryce Eldridge |
+1300 |
| Owen Caissie |
+1500 |
 Justin Crawford |
+1700 |
 Joe Mack |
+1900 |
| Rhett Lowder |
+2000 |
| Quinn Mathews |
+2500 |
| Carson Benge |
+2500 |
| Andrew Painter |
+2500 |
 Alex Freeland |
+2500 |
| Hunter Barco |
+3000 |
| Jett Williams |
+3500 |
| Robby Snelling |
+4000 |
| Jaxon Wiggins |
+4000 |
| Chase Petty |
+4000 |
| Josue De Paula |
+4500 |
Odds as of 11-12.
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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) |
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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.
