2025 MLB Rookie of the Year Odds and Best Bets

If recent years of results are any indication, the days of guys like Bob Hamelin, Chris Coghlan or Jeremy Hellickson winning an MLB Rookie of the Year Award are behind us. In recent seasons, almost every winner of the award has turned into a big star. Just check out our last eight years of results:

Kyle Lewis in 2020 aside, that’s 16 names that are all at least relevant — and mostly very relevant — in baseball discussions today. Part of that is MLB front-office strategy, because only the biggest of names and lock-est of locks get to come up early enough to put up ROY-level numbers. But also, media attention is a factor — the guys who are going to become big stars are darlings to start, so any production almost gets double-counted.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the odds and best bets for the 2025 award.

(All odds are per DraftKings Sportsbook.)

American League Rookie of the Year Odds and Best Bets

The Odds

The Favorite

Cam Smith, Houston Astros (+450)

Smith was the Cubs’ first-round pick in the 2024 draft before heading to Houston in the Kyle Tucker trade. Basically all the analysis at the time pegged Smith as the new top prospect in the Houston system who would be excellent … when he was ready. That said, Smith’s ETA on most pieces of analysis was given as 2026. Almost no one expected him to make the club in 2025 until he slashed .342/.419/.711 in 43 plate appearances this spring, forcing his way onto the roster and launching himself to the betting favorite here.

Other Candidates

Jasson Domínguez, New York Yankees (+600)
Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers (+800)
Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals (+2500)

Dominguez didn’t crush this spring, with a .768 OPS, but given the other injuries in New York, he’s going to have a very long leash — the team needs him to succeed for this season to work out. And he comes in with plenty of eyeballs already, so any highlights will be extra noticed.

Jobe forced his way onto the playoff roster last year for Detroit and now opens the season with a rotation slot. The best pitching prospect in baseball (non-Japanese-import edition) could put up huge numbers for a Detroit team that will be leaning on its pitching staff.

Caglianone is the wild card here, starting the year in the minors. But he absolutely raked in the spring (.500/.609/1.167 in 23 plate appearances), and the only person really standing in his way is the oft-injured Vinnie Pasquantino, who is already dealing with a hamstring issue.

Best Bet

Jackson Jobe, Detroit Tigers

Jobe should be the Next Big Thing as a pitcher, and he’s shown more than the fast risers like Smith and Kristian Campbell. Bet on him to form a strong 1-2 punch with Tarik Skubal and coast to the award.

National League Rookie of the Year Odds and Best Bets

The Odds

The Favorite

Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles Dodgers (+250)

Who else? Sasaki is one of the most-hyped Japanese imports in a long run of well-hyped Japanese imports, and while his command wasn’t perfect in his sneak-peek debut last week, the velocity was eye-popping. The main drawback to Sasaki is the Dodgers’ wealth of pitchers and chances of running away with the division — they’ll very likely limit Sasaki’s innings total, which could keep him from the raw stat totals you’d want from a typical winner.

Other Candidates

Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals (+300)
Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates (+1000)
Thomas Saggese, St. Louis Cardinals (+2500)

Crews didn’t crush in his cup of coffee last year, and he didn’t wow with the power this spring, but he’s locked into the center field job in Washington and a top-three lineup spot, and he should at a minimum get on base plenty. If Crews can bulk into a handful of homers, he’ll command plenty of attention.

With Jared Jones and Johan Oviedo already on the shelf, the Pirates might turn to Chandler sooner than expected, and we’ve seen their pitching prospects succeed quickly in recent years. Whenever he’s called up, he’ll get plenty of eyeballs just by being in Paul Skenes’ shadow, and the “two straight Pirates pitchers!” narrative would be strong if he has any shot at the award.

Saggese’s chances are inextricably linked to the chances the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado. Had Arenado been dealt in the offseason, there’s a real chance Saggese would already be on the big-league roster. So if Arenado hangs around until the trade deadline or close, it’s hard to envision a way Saggese could get to the award. But if the Cardinals can find a taker quickly, the 2024 first-rounder could be a big factor right away.

Best Bet

Roki Sasaki, Los Angeles Dodgers

Do I think Sasaki will have a lighter workload than most ROY winners? Yes. Would I pick him in the American League? Nope. But with a relatively light list of candidates in the National League this year, give me the heavy favorite who already comes in with “Come on, he’s the best pitcher available” buzz.