MLB Betting – AL Rookie of the Year Odds 2020

The thrill of wagering on sports is that you can go off script and hit it big every now and then. Those who threw down on Houston’s Yordan Alvarez to win the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year before the season started made a killing. Alvarez had long odds depending on which sportsbook you visited, but he showed just how unpredictable the game can be. Alvarez didn’t debut until June 9 when the Astros were 67 games into their season. He made the most of his brief time belting 27 homers with a .313 average in 87 games.  Betting is available at Bookmaker.eu, which is offering a generous bonus with a $1000 maximum.

Now, if there actually is a 2020 MLB season, the criteria for winning ROY might be a little different. The possibility of a shortened season makes things much tougher on pitchers. They just won’t have as many opportunities as an everyday player to put up the numbers. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen. In fact, BookMaker.eu has four hurlers among the top five on the odds board, including favorite Michael Kopech of the Chicago White Sox. The only non-pitcher in that group is another south sider Luis Robert. Be sure to visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of AL Rookie of the Year odds and other MLB futures.

2020 AL Rookie of the Year odds at BookMaker.eu

Michael Kopech +325
Luis Robert +380
Casey Mize +425
Jesus Luzardo +792
Brendan McKay +1000
Jo Adell +1100
Evan White +1400
Deivi Garcia +2100
Forrest Whitley +2100
Wander Franco +2113
Nate Pearson +2336

AL Rookie of the Year Candidates

The biggest things for any player winning the award is being ready to play in the big leagues and having your club give you a chance to perform. I hope Kopech goes on to have a wonderful career, he definitely has the talent. But the flame-thrower is coming of Tommy John surgery and was expected to start the season in the minors. That’s before the coronavirus shut down the sports world. I can’t see the Sox rushing him into the rotation and if the season does eventually get going with expanded rosters, teams will likely use a six- or seven-man rotation. He is the favorite, but he won’t win the honor.

The top position players on the board include Robert, Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle’s Evan White. I believe in the long run it will pay to invest in a player who takes the field every day, but will one of these guys elevate their game to claim the award? Robert is a close second to his teammate and his five-tool potential is mouthwatering to Sox fans.

Robert moved on from injuries that marred his first two seasons in the organization to show everyone what he’s capable of. Across 122 games at three minor league levels in 2019 he slashed .328/.376/.624 joining the 30-30 club with 32 homers and 36 stolen bases. The kid has done everything in the minors and joins a core of young position players on a team with an upward trajectory.

The Angels’ minor league system has been a mess for several years making the rise of Adell that much sweeter. Another player with all the tools who reached the top-5 on the MLB prospect list, Adell missed time at the beginning of 2019 with various injuries. That didn’t stop him from going nuts once healthy. Making the jump at three minor league levels, Adell hit .289 with 10 homers in 76 games. He’ll join MVP Mike Trout in the Halos outfield.

The AL race figures to be much tighter than that in the senior circuit. There are a couple of longshots worthy of a risk. Chicago’s Nick Madrigal was a hitting machine in the minors and figures to get a look at a middle infield spot. He struggled in spring training games before the shutdown and may not get enough of an opportunity with veteran players above him on the depth chart. Ryan Mountcastle has a chance to perform on the rebuilding Orioles. Playing at the Triple-A level for the first time he snared 2019 International League MVP by hitting .312 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs.

It’s going to be more difficult for a pitcher but not impossible. There are quality arms out there with Kopech leading the way. Detroit’s Casey Mize, Oakland’s Jesus Luzardo and Tampa Bay’s Brendan McKay all have the stuff to be successful.

Bet AL Rookie of the Year at BookMaker.eu

I said it before and I’ll say it again. It’s going to be tough for a pitcher to win the award. None in the rookie class are jumping into a top of the rotation spot and most clubs will likely use six or more starters when the season starts. Robert has the tools, but I can see Trout’s game rubbing off on Adell, making him strong pick to claim the honor.

AL Rookie of the Year Odds Pick: Jo Adell

Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.

- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com