2026 MLB Award Odds & Predictions: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year Best Bets

Javan Shouey

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A lifelong sports fan from Northwestern Pennsylvania. Die-hard supporter of the Steelers, Pirates and Cavaliers. Insane passion for writing about sports and helping others improve. Incredibly thankful for the platform Pickswise is giving me. For Javan Shouey media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.

2026 MLB MVP Odds

We will be using the odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook for the purpose of continuity in this article. As always, shop around for the best price in market before placing your wager.

American League MVP odds

Aaron Judge +185
Bobby Witt Jr. +450
Cal Raleigh +700
Julio Rodriguez +1200
Nick Kurtz +1500
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. +1600
Jose Ramirez +1600
Gunnar Henderson +1700
Roman Anthony +2000
Junior Caminero +2700

National League MVP odds

Shohei Ohtani -140
Juan Soto +700
Ronald Acuna Jr. +1100
Fernando Tatis Jr. +1900
Francisco Lindor +2200
Corbin Carroll +2500
Ketel Marte +2500
Mookie Betts +3000
Elly De La Cruz +3000
Kyle Schwarber +3000

2026 MLB MVP Best Bet: Bobby Witt Jr. (+500)

Odds available at DraftKings, Caesars, and Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to +425.

The presence of Shohei Ohtani in the National League is daunting, as his 2-way prowess makes him a clear MVP favorite. Instead, let’s focus on the American League — where I can make a stronger case for someone other than the favorite. Aaron Judge is coming off another stellar MVP season, blasting 53 home runs with a 204 wRC+. He is the deserved favorite for the award, but if Judge were to slip in play or miss some time due to injury, Bobby Witt Jr. is the most likely candidate to step up, in my opinion.

Witt Jr. recorded an 8.0 FWAR season in 2025 while producing a 130 wRC+ at the plate and his 2nd consecutive Gold Glove award at shortstop. He was even better in 2024, finishing 2nd in AL MVP voting behind Judge with a 10.5 FWAR season. While 2025 was still an elite year despite a slight step back, I believe he is set to contribute a career-best season in 2026.

Kauffman Stadium underwent some modifications during the offseason as the organization looks to make its home park more hitter friendly. Left and right field are being brought in by 9-10 feet, while outfield fences are being lowered by up to 18 inches in places. Statcast data shows that over the last 5 seasons in Kauffman Stadium there have been 231 batted balls that would have been home runs given the adjusted dimensions. Witt Jr. already has a 145 wRC+ in home games across his career and the new dimensions can only help his power. Kansas City also has a more complete lineup this season, which will help enhance Witt Jr.’s counting numbers and his chances of winning the award. If Witt Jr. can club 30+ home runs with 40+ steals to go along with elite defense, his name is sure to be near the top of this race.

2026 MLB Cy Young Odds

American League Cy Young Odds

Tarik Skubal +240
Garrett Crochet +350
Jacob deGrom +1000
Cole Ragans +1200
Hunter Brown +1200
Max Fried +1300
Framber Valdez +1400
Bryan Woo +1700
Logan Gilbert +2200
Dylan Cease +2500

National League Cy Young Odds

Paul Skenes +240
Yoshinobu Yamamoto +500
Cristopher Sanchez +650
Chris Sale +900
Zack Wheeler +1800
Logan Webb +1800
Shohei Ohtani +2200
Freddy Peralta +2200
Jesus Luzardo +3000
Spencer Strider +3000

2026 MLB CY Young Best Bet: Hunter Brown (+1500)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to +1200.

Framber Valdez left the Houston Astros in the offseason, signing with the Detroit Tigers to form perhaps the top pitching duo in Major League Baseball with Tarik Skubal. With Valdez gone, Hunter Brown is more than ready to claim the role of lone ace on the Houston pitching staff. Last season Brown finished third in American League Cy Young voting behind Skubal and Garrett Crochet. It was a career best season for the young right-hander as he set career bests with 185.1 innings and a 2.43 ERA.

Brown has always had talent — but 6 starts into his 2024 campaign, he had allowed 25 earned runs in only 23 innings of work. He then debuted a new pitch, whipping out a sinker for the first time in his MLB career. Brown has since used that pitch over 20% of the time, and his results have skyrocketed. Having another fastball to pair with his lethal 4-seamer has enhanced his arsenal and his ability to keep opponents off balance.

Since Brown started throwing that sinker on May 5 of 2024, he ranks second in ERA, third in FIP, third in FWAR, and fifth in innings pitched among qualified AL pitchers. That is a sizable sample of 56 outings for the Astros right-hander. In 2025, Brown was able to increase his efficiency — lowering his pitches per plate appearance and WHIP significantly. He contributed 21 quality starts in 31 attempts, and I expect another step forward in 2026. Skubal and Crochet are tough competition atop the odds board, but at +1500 I see value in backing Hunter Brown this season.

2026 Rookie of the Year Odds

American League ROY Odds

Kazuma Okamoto +450
Kevin McGonigle +490
Carter Jenson +600
Munetaka Murakami +700
Trey Yesavage +850
Samuel Basallo +1100
Tatsuya Imai +1200
Dylan Beavers +1700
Connelly Early +2000
Chase DeLauter +2200

National League ROY Odds

Konnor Griffin +250
Nolan McLean +370
JJ Wetherholt+550
Sal Stewart +700
Bryce Eldridge +1200
Bubba Chandler +2000
Carson Benge +2200
Justin Crawford +2200
Andrew Painter +2500
Moises Ballesteros +2500

2026 MLB Rookie of the Year Best Bet: JJ Wetherholt (+550)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to +500.

I feel pretty confident saying that the National League rookie of the year will come from the NL Central in 2026. The odds-on favorite for the award is the top prospect in baseball, Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin. Sal Stewart is set for everyday playing time in Cincinnati if he can produce, and Moises Ballesteros is likely to serve as the Cubs’ Opening Day DH. My pick, however, is Cardinals’ 2nd baseman JJ Wetherholt. St. Louis traded away longtime infielder Brendan Donovan to Seattle during the offseason. This move opened a spot for everyday playing time for the Cardinals’ top prospect.

Wetherholt was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft and has flown through the Cardinals system, posting a 154 wRC+ across AA and AAA last season. The lefty bat hit 17 home runs with 23 stolen bases in under 500 plate appearances last season. He combines speed and solid power with low whiff rates, and that type of profile could result in quality counting numbers as an everyday player. Fangraphs has Wetherholt projected to hit leadoff for St. Louis — and with how hard he has been hitting the ball this spring, I have my eyes on that +550 price. I also attended college with Wetherholt’s older brother and will be rooting for JJ to succeed despite now being a rival of my beloved Pirates.