Jason Wilson
• Betting Analyst
19+ years betting experience
Updated:
Mar 11, 2026 , 11:36 AM ET
• 7 min read
There are so many exciting players who could be among the top options in either the NL or AL Rookie of the Year race, including New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge (93) scores against the St. Louis Cardinals.
As spring training marches on, I’m continuing my assessment of the prospective rookies who could make splashes early and often in the 2026 MLB season.
In addition to earlier picks, I’ve zeroed in on another name worthy of consideration: New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge.
I’m poring over the MLB odds board for AL and NL Rookie of the Year as Opening Day gets closer and closer.
Odds to win 2026 AL Rookie of the Year
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Odds as of 3-11.
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Odds to win 2026 NL Rookie of the Year
Odds as of 3-11.
MLB Rookie of the Year futures bets
Projecting Rookie of the Year is the most daunting of the MLB awards. And for that reason, I tend to shy away from it during the preseason except for some speculative long-shot wagers. When Paul Skenes won in 2024, I waited until after his first start. His odds got longer because he only went four innings, and perhaps some doubt emerged. He put that to rest pretty quickly.
Obviously, there’s risk here, too. If Skenes shoved in his first start, then I would never have gotten that value boost. It’s why I’m holding off on pulling the trigger on Konnor Griffin. He smoked two home runs in a spring game this week, which may explain why he’s now the betting favorite in the NL, but there is still some risk that he gets sent to the minors to start the season. I would rather risk it and grab him at better odds or not bet him at all.
Your inclination may be to target players who are locks or almost locks to make their team’s Opening Day roster. But sportsbooks aren’t offering great numbers there. For as good as Trey Yesavage was in the postseason, I don’t want to bet on him at +370 after he pitched more innings than he ever had before. So, for now, I try to make educated long-shot dart throws.
| Bet | Odds | Bet date | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Benge | +2000 | March 11 | 0.25 |
| Bubba Chandler | +1400 | February 25 | 0.25 |
| Chase DeLauter | +2000 | February 25 | 0.25 |
I’m adding New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge to my betting card, and it’s not just because he’s hitting .391 across eight spring training games, either.
Benge screamed through the minors in 2025, slashing .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 116 games across three levels. Even with a hiccup in Triple-A, I’m not deterred. He struck out just 17.7% of the time compared to a 13.1% walk rate while boasting a 150 wRC+. He basically looks like the next Kyle Tucker.
At +2000, I’ll happily take a flier on him, as it appears as though he should open the season in the major-league outfield as New York’s starting right fielder. That clear-ish path to playing time on a competitive team, combined with the polished pedigree he’s shown, gives me more confidence than hopping on the Konnor Griffin train at +280, when he’s not a lock to crack Pittsburgh’s Opening Day roster.
Previous ROY analysis
2-25: Bubba Chandler wasn’t as highly touted as Skenes, but he wasn’t super far off, either. He posted a 1.83 ERA over his first 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A in 2024. Those numbers took a bit of a dive last season, but his first taste of MLB hitting went pretty well. The 4.02 ERA wasn’t amazing, but he had a low walk rate, didn’t surrender home runs, and had a 2.66 FIP that suggests at least some positive regression. With Griffin taking all the headlines at Pittsburgh Pirates camp, it’s perhaps easy to forget that Chandler likely has a rotation spot on Opening Day unless things go all the way sideways this spring. His ace upside is enough to take a flier here. Chase DeLauter is currently projected to open the season in the Cleveland Guardians outfield. Injuries have slowed his progression a bit, but he is a dangerous hitter, which is exactly what Cleveland needs. He doesn’t strike out (15.8% K-rate in 42 minor-league games last year) and has major home run potential from the left side.
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.
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.
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.
