Henry Roldán
Get ready for some exciting Major League Baseball action, because the season is just around the corner! Here at JefeBet, we want to make sure you don’t miss any of the best baseball in the world—including keeping you in the loop on the top contenders for the most important awards in the league.
This time around, we’re bringing you the favorites in Vegas to win the MLB Rookie of the Year award, and who might surprise us at the end of the regular season. Let’s dive in!
Predictions, Betting Preview, and Favorites to Win the Rookie of the Year in the MLB During the 2023 Season
American League
Favorites
Gunnar Henderson (+225) | Baltimore Orioles
The young Orioles infielder is considered the number one prospect in the MLB rankings and is also the favorite in Las Vegas to win the MLB Rookie of the Year Award in the American League.
Henderson already made his debut with Baltimore last season and did not disappoint in the 34 games he played. During that time, he played third base, shortstop, and second base, while hitting four home runs with 18 RBIs and an OBP of .348. This guy can do it all!
Masataka Yoshida (+600) | Boston Red Sox
At 29 years old, Yoshida is set to make his debut this season in Major League Baseball after signing a five-year, $90 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
As a key player for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, this outfielder is ready to take the big leagues by storm. While there are some concerns about his defense, Yoshida’s impressive stats from his time with the Orix Buffaloes speak for themselves. With a batting average of .326 and an on-base percentage of .419, he struck out only 307 times in 3,251 plate appearances over 781 games.
Anthony Volpe (+750) | New York Yankees
Volpe is ranked fifth on the MLB’s list of top prospects, and after a fantastic spring training where he recorded an OPS of 1.207 in 14 games, it’s expected that he’ll have a spot on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.
This 21-year-old infielder stands out for his impressive speed and newfound ability to hit the ball with power. If he can maintain this level of performance and show that he can play defense, he’ll soon be making his debut in the Big Apple. So keep your eye on Volpe—this up-and-coming star is definitely one to watch!
Sleeper Picks
Triston Casas (+800) | Boston Red Sox
Despite being far from the top spots in the MLB prospect rankings at number 23, the Red Sox are hopeful that the 23-year-old could shine this year as he is set to begin as the starting first baseman.
Although Casas only hit .197 in 76 official at-bats last season, he showed a lot of power by hitting five home runs and driving in 12 runs. Another promising sign is that he is batting .341 in 15 games during the current spring training.
Royce Lewis (+950) | Minnesota Twins
It’s a shocker that Royce Lewis is among the top contenders for the American League Rookie of the Year award, considering he’s currently sidelined with an injury.
The Twins outfielder was placed on the 60-day injured list in February and is expected to return to action sometime between June and July.
Despite being ranked 45th on MLB’s prospect list, Lewis made a splash in his brief stint with the big league team last season, hitting .300 with two homers and five RBIs in just 12 games.
Dark Horse
Oswald Peraza (+2500) | New York Yankees
In Vegas, they may not give Peraza much credit, but the truth is, the Venezuelan shortstop is the top pick for starting at his position for the Yankees after playing 18 games with the big league team last season.
At just 22 years old, he’s got Volpe nipping at his heels, but if he can combine his stellar defense with a bit more offense, it’s very likely that this #52 MLB prospect will see plenty of playing time in the Big Apple.
JefeBet Prediction
Get ready for an intense showdown between Henderson and Yoshida. Henderson is a young and super talented player who can handle three infield positions and hit the ball hard from the left side of the plate.
On the other hand, Yoshida brings a wealth of experience from playing many years in Japan, where he showcased his skills as the cleanup hitter for the championship team in the World Baseball Classic.
However, Henderson appears to have the edge when it comes to defense. While Yoshida may not see as much playing time in the outfield as he will as the designated hitter, Henderson will be a key defensive player for the Orioles. So, keep your eyes peeled for a fierce battle on the field!
Prediction: Gunnar Henderson.
National League
Favorites
Jordan Walker (+400) | St. Louis Cardinals
It’s not certain whether the fourth-best baseball prospect in MLB’s rankings will start the season on St. Louis’ big league team, but one thing that shouldn’t be in doubt is that he’ll be called up to the Majors at some point during the campaign.
Walker is hitting .340 with three homers and nine RBIs in 53 at-bats during spring training, and his ability to play both the outfield and third base could be the wildcard that gets him the chance to show off his talent.
Corbin Carroll (+400) | Arizona Diamondbacks
Carroll was one of the biggest news of this pre-season after the 21-year-old outfielder signed an eight-season contract worth $111 million with the Diamondbacks.
MLB’s number 2 prospect, behind Henderson, played 32 games with Arizona last season and not only shone with his extraordinary defense. With the bat, he hit .260, with two triples, four homers, and two stolen bases under his belt.
Miguel Vargas (+600) | Los Angeles Dodgers
The 23-year-old Cuban has been one of the standout players in this year’s spring training, impressing with his batting eye and poised to become the starting second baseman for the Dodgers.
Vargas, ranked as the 37th best prospect in MLB, played in 18 Major League games last year and can play in both corner outfield positions, as well as third base, first base, and now second base.
Sleeper Picks
Kodai Senga (+950) | New York Mets
Just like his fellow Japanese player Yoshida in the American League, 29-year-old Senga could become the National League MLB Rookie of the Year at the age of 30.
The right-hander signed with the Mets for five seasons and $75 million after playing 11 seasons in Japanese baseball. During that time, he left a record of 104-51 with an ERA of 2.42, 1,486 strikeouts, and 11 complete games in 1,340.2 innings pitched.
Ezequiel Tovar (+1100) | Colorado Rockies
Meet Ezequiel Tovar, the Venezuelan shortstop who is set to become the Rockies’ starting player on Opening Day! This young talent is considered one of the best defensive players among his prospect peers.
Although MLB ranks him as the 25th best prospect, within the Colorado system, he’s number one! In fact, he played in nine games with the big league team last season, and now he’s ready to take on the challenge full-time. With the thin air in Denver, he might even improve his offensive stats!
Dark Horse
Brett Baty (+1900) | New York Mets
It looks like the Mets might have a new star player on their hands—Brett Baty! While he might not start right away, all signs point to him making the team and potentially taking over third base if Eduardo Escobar starts to struggle.
Baty is ranked as the 21st best prospect in MLB, and he proved himself last year by batting an impressive .341 in 20 games with the big league team. With more playing time, he could really shine!
JefeBet Prediction
As sports fans eagerly await Jordan Walker’s debut with the Cardinals, Corbin Carroll has already secured his spot as the starting center fielder for the Diamondbacks—giving him a definite edge.
While Walker may hit some booming home runs and drive in runs, Carroll will have more time to dazzle us with his defensive plays and lightning-fast speed on the bases. Don’t get us wrong, we’re excited to see what Walker can do, but Carroll’s already proven himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Prediction: Corbin Carroll.
All odds are courtesy of DraftKings
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