The next great MLB star awaits in 2021. Last year, it was Kyle Lewis who hit .267 and hit 11 homers for Seattle that won the AL Rookie of the Year. Milwaukee pitcher Devin Williams struck out 53 batters in 27 innings and ended up with a 0.33 ERA to win the NL award.
What young stars will capture the awards in 2021?
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2021 MLB American League Rookie of the Year Pick
In the American League, there really is no question as to who the favorite is – Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena. The young Rays outfielder saw his first MLB action late last season and wound up setting a major league record for home runs in a single postseason.
Arozarena hit 10 homers in the playoffs last year and was named the ALCS MVP. He can hit for power and if he improves on hitting breaking balls, Arozarena will be a .280-plus, 30-homer player for several years to come. That’s why he is the +400 favorite to win the AL ROY this year.
Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman debuted last year and hit a modest .254. He’s only 23 and can hit for power and average. Plus, he’s an elite defender behind the plate. He is listed at +1400 to win the AL ROY.
The real value is on Arozarena’s teammate Wander Franco. The Rays shortstop has yet to play a major league game, but he remains the top overall prospect in all of baseball. He just turned 21 and he is a switch-hitting shortstop who can hit the long ball and hit for average. Franco is an elite hitter with outstanding skills in the field. The Rays may have to move him to second or third to get him on the field in 2021, but at +1200 Franco could pay off big.
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR PICK: WANDER FRANCO
2021 MLB American League ROY Odds
Randy Arozarena +400
Jarred Kelenic +900
Ryan Mountcastle +1000
Nate Pearson +1200
Nick Madrigal +1200
Triston McKenzie +1200
Wander Franco +1200
Adley Rutschman +1400
Casey Mize +1400
Brendan McKay +1800
2021 MLB National League Rookie of the Year Pick
It is rare that pitchers win the Rookie of the Year award in either league. Williams did win it last year and guys like Jacob deGrom come along every so often and win the award.
Sixto Sanchez of Miami just might be in that same category. He is just 22 years old, but his fastball moves up into the triple digits and he gets batters to chase balls out of the strike zone consistently.
Sanchez will start the season in the Marlins rotation and will challenge for the ROY. He is listed at +500 just behind favorite Ke’Bryan Hayes (+350).
Hayes is the typical Pirates prospect. He performed well in last year’s big-league call-up hitting .376 with five homers in just 85 plate appearances. Hayes will be the best player on a bad team, but that shouldn’t affect his chances at winning top rookie.
If there’s a sleeper in the race, it could be left-hander MacKenzie Gore. He was likely the best pitcher in the minor leagues in 2019 with a 1.69 ERA in High-A and Double-A ball. He was inconsistent last year, but he’s got four great pitches including a mid-90s heater. Plus, he’ll pitch for one of the best teams in baseball – San Diego. That could give him the edge.
It’s tough for pitchers to win the award and Hayes is likely to put up some big numbers. That’s why he will win it.
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR PICK: KE’BRYAN HAYES
2021 MLB National League ROY Odds
Ke’Bryan Hayes +350
Sixto Sanchez +500
Dylan Carlson +800
Ian Anderson +800
Cristian Pache +1000
Nick Lodolo +1200
Joey Bart +1400
Oneil Cruz +1400
Tyler Stephenson +1400
MacKenzie Gore +1800
