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A number of rookies could take MLB by storm this year, and we’re just under a month away from opening day. While plenty of first-year players are capable of turning heads in the National League, the public has placed an overwhelming amount of money on two of the frontrunners at DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s break down how the betting splits for the top candidates are shaking out.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (+1000) has the fourth-best odds but commands a ridiculous 48% of the handle and 29% of the total bets. The Cardinals traded Dexter Fowler and neglected to sign new outfielders to Major League contracts over the offseason, so it’s clear that they’re invested in Carlson. He struggled at the beginning of last season but picked up the slack toward the end of 2020 after coming back from St. Louis’ alternate training site.
Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (+400) is the odds-on favorite and commands 34% of the handle with 37% of the total bets. He’s off to a strong start in Spring Training and the Pirates are hoping it will carry into the regular season. He batted an impressive .376 with 32 hits and five home runs in 2020. Miami Marlins pitcher Sixto Sanchez (+600) has the second-best odds. He commands 6% of the handle and 9% of the total bets. Whether he can play well enough to prevent a two-horse race remains to be seen. No other NL player has more than 2% of the handle or 5% of the total bets.
NL Rookie of the Year Betting Splits — March 1
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
| 1 | Dylan Carlson | +1000 | 48% | 29% |
| 2 | Ke'Bryan Hayes | +400 | 34% | 37% |
| 3 | Sixto Sanchez | +600 | 6% | 9% |
| 4 | Ian Anderson | +800 | 2% | 5% |
| 5 | MacKenzie Gore | +2000 | 2% | 5% |
| 6 | Spencer Howard | +1500 | 2% | 4% |
| 7 | Cristian Pache | +1200 | 2% | 6% |
| 8 | Oneil Cruz | +1500 | 1% | 1% |
| 9 | Jazz Chisholm | +2500 | 1% | 2% |
| 10 | Devin Williams | +800 | 1% | 1% |
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