MLB AL Rookie of the Year Award Odds (2026)

The following post features MLB AL Rookie of the Year Award Odds (2026).

The 2026 MLB AL Rookie of the Year odds serve as a real-time barometer for the American League’s most impactful newcomers, reflecting how sportsbooks value each prospect’s transition to the majors.

Read: MLB NL Rookie of the Year Award Odds

Related: Tips for Betting on MLB Rookie of the Year

Beyond the betting lines, the race ultimately comes down to which young star can maintain elite production over a full season’s workload while adjusting to the high-level scouting of MLB pitching and defense.

So, how is the AL Rookie of the Year Award race shaping up for 2026? Here’s what you need to know.

MLB AL Rookie of the Year Award Odds (2026)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the MLB AL Rookie of the Year Award Odds (2026). Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Top Contenders (2026)

Trey Yesavage

Trey Yesavage emerges as the overwhelming favorite for AL Rookie of the Year in 2026 after a meteoric late-2025 debut and dominant postseason for the Blue Jays, where he retained eligibility with limited regular-season innings but dazzled with high-strikeout outings, including a record-setting World Series performance. The young right-hander’s premium arsenal—featuring a riding mid-90s fastball, devastating splitter, and sharp slider from a unique high release—generated elite swing-and-miss while showcasing ace potential in high-leverage spots. Locked into Toronto’s rotation on a contending team fresh off a deep playoff run, Yesavage’s stuff, command growth, and opportunity for 30+ starts position him to accumulate wins, strikeouts, and impact WAR in a full rookie campaign.

Munetaka Murakami

Munetaka Murakami arrives in MLB as a posted superstar from NPB, signing with the White Sox and bringing prodigious left-handed power that includes a 56-homer season in 2022 and 22 long balls in just 56 injury-shortened games in 2025. The young slugger’s raw strength and ability to drive the ball with authority project for immediate middle-of-the-order thump, even as he adjusts to higher-velocity pitching. Slated for everyday at-bats at third or first base on a rebuilding Chicago squad hungry for offensive firepower, Murakami’s elite exit velocities and run-producing upside make him a high-ceiling contender to post monster power numbers and challenge for the award.

Tatsuya Imai

Tatsuya Imai transitions to the Astros’ rotation after a stellar NPB career capped by a dominant 2025 (1.92 ERA, 178 strikeouts in 163⅔ innings), retaining rookie status as a posted international signing. The right-hander’s diverse five-pitch mix—highlighted by a mid-90s sinker with excellent movement, sharp slider, and improving splitter—pairs with refined command and durability to project as a reliable mid-rotation arm. Guaranteed a prominent spot in Houston’s contending staff alongside Hunter Brown, Imai’s strikeout potential, groundball tendencies, and workload capability position him as a strong candidate to rack up quality starts and wins in his MLB debut season.

Kevin McGonigle

Kevin McGonigle stormed through the minors in 2025, slashing .305/.408/.583 with 19 homers, more walks than strikeouts, and a league-leading 182 wRC+ across High-A and Double-A, earning universal acclaim as one of baseball’s top hitting prospects while preserving rookie eligibility. The left-handed infielder’s elite contact skills, emerging power, and disciplined approach project for instant on-base production at shortstop or second base. With Detroit’s infield opening up in their youth-driven contention window, McGonigle’s all-fields hit tool and accumulation potential make him a high-floor favorite to deliver hits, runs, and WAR in a full-season breakout.

Samuel Basallo

Samuel Basallo flashed big-league potential in a late-2025 call-up for the Orioles, hitting key homers including a walk-off while retaining eligibility, building on his status as a former top prospect with plus power from the left side. The young catcher/first baseman’s advanced bat and offensive ceiling proved viable at the highest level in limited action, setting up for expanded run production. Poised for everyday at-bats split between catcher, DH, and first on a reloaded Baltimore lineup featuring Adley Rutschman and Pete Alonso, Basallo’s slugging ability and RBI opportunities project a breakout full season that could propel him atop the rookie leaderboard.

AL Rookie of the Year Dark Horses (2026)

Beyond the top contenders for the 2026 AL Rookie of the Year, several intriguing dark horses at long odds could emerge as surprise challengers with breakout seasons or rapid ascents. Carson Williams (+5000) brings elite power-speed upside to the Rays after a 2025 season featuring 23 homers and 22 steals in Triple-A alongside a late MLB debut that retained eligibility, flashing plus defense at shortstop; an everyday role in Tampa Bay’s infield could unlock 20-20 production and defensive value to surge into contention. Hagen Smith (+5000) dominated Double-A in 2025 with a mid-3.00s ERA, elite strikeout rates from his plus fastball-slider combo, and strong finish that quieted early concerns; a rotation spot on the rebuilding White Sox projects for 150+ innings and swing-and-miss potential if he builds durability. Michael Arroyo (+5000) showcased advanced hit/power tools across levels in 2025 as a young infielder, projecting for everyday at-bats at second base on Seattle’s contender; his contact skills and emerging pop could yield impactful averages and run production. Max Clark (+6600) raked in High-A and Double-A during 2025 with a near-.400 OBP, disciplined approach drawing walks over strikeouts, and plus center-field defense for the Tigers; everyday duty in Detroit’s outfield could produce hits, runs, and WAR accumulation. Finally, longshot Jurrangelo Cijntje (+10000) intrigues as the switch-pitching phenom for the Mariners, advancing quickly through the minors in 2025 with premium velocity and breaking stuff from both arms; aggressive promotion to the rotation could see his unique arsenal generate strikeouts and headlines if command refines.

MLB AL Rookie of the Year Award Winners (2016-Present)

The table below highlights every MLB AL Rookie of the Year Award winner since 2016.

2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award Results

In the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year Award voting, Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz claimed the honor unanimously, receiving all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America after a historic power-laden campaign that saw him slash .290/.383/.619 with 36 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 90 runs scored in 117 games, including a record-tying four-homer game. Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson finished a distant second with his elite contact skills producing a .311 batting average and 151 hits, while Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony rounded out the top three despite playing only 71 games due to injury. Kurtz, at age 22, became the 14th player to win the AL Rookie of the Year by a unanimous vote and the ninth Athletic to claim the award, delivering one of the most dominant offensive rookie seasons in recent history while helping anchor Oakland’s surprising contender.