Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
It’s hard to believe the 2024 MLB season is already at the All-Star break, but here we are. We have a little more time until the second half of the season officially kicks off, so we will be taking a look at the MLB awards outright markets, including MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year to provide an update on the preseason articles at these very same markets. Today, we will take a look at the Rookie of the Year Award.
2024 MLB Rookie of the Year Awards
Current Rookie of the Year Favorites
American League: Wyatt Langford
(+105, Caesars)
The American League Rookie of the Year Race appears wide open at the midway point of the season, despite Wyatt Langford, one of the preseason favorites, maintaining position at the All-Star break. Langford had a rough start to his rookie campaign, but since returning from the IL on May 28, he has hit .276, slugging .454, with a .337 wOBA and .178 ISO. While none are necessarily elite numbers, they certainly better represent the potential of the Rangers outfielder. Behind Langford includes Luis Gil (+160), Colton Cowser (+500), Ceddanne Rafaela (+800), Wilyer Abreu (+1300) and Mason Miller (+1500).
National League: Paul Skenes
(-1200, Caesars)
Easily the biggest favorite in any award market, Paul Skenes finds himself -1200 to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. Since being called up May 11, Skenes has given the Pirates 11 starts, compiling a 6-0 record, striking out 89 batters in 66.1 innings and logging a miniscule 1.90 ERA. It’s no surprise to see Skenes atop this market, but the question of how many innings will the Pirates allow Skenes to throw does loom. The next question will be, how many innings does Skenes need to throw for voters to ignore his inevitable shut down?
Preseason Picks
AL Rookie of the Year Preseason Pick: Wyatt Langford
(+600, Bet365)
Subscribers were able to get Langford at +2200 way back in December when this market went live, and even those who were late at the +600 in March should be loving their position at the moment. With Luis Gil the primary threat to Langford at the moment, the Rangers outfielder has an opportunity to run away with the award in the second half. In other words, he controls his own destiny. Gil has already surpassed his career high in innings pitched, and with the Yankees likely to add pitching at the upcoming trade deadline, it’s Gil who could find himself as the odd man out, given the potential restrictions between surpassing his previous career high in innings pitched, in addition to this being his first season post Tommy John Surgery.
NL Rookie of the Year Preseason Pick: Jackson Merrill
(+7500, BetRivers)
We might just find ourselves in a “wrong place, wrong time” situation with Jackson Merrill, who finds himself as short as +450 (Caesars) to win National League Rookie of the Year. With Paul Skenes dominating since his MLB debut, it’s safe to say voters will latch on to the Pirates ace, regardless of where his innings restriction may max out. Skenes has not only put up elite rookie numbers, but he has deservedly entered the conversation for National League Cy Young as well. At the very least, those who are holding Merrill tickets at +7500 like myself should be feeling great about having the second-shortest odds in this market. We’re essentially fading a Skenes injury or sudden shutdown in the first few weeks following the All-Star break. As a fan, we certainly don’t wish or want to see an injury, so let’s just hope for Jackson Merrill to get hot again.
