Jackson Merrill Favored Over Paul Skenes for NL Rookie of the Year

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill is now listed as the favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year.  It is quite a turnaround, as less than a month ago it was Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes who was a massive favorite to win the award.  In fact, Skenes was listed as a -5000 favorite to win the award at some online sportsbooks.  Now it is Skenes listed as a +125 underdog at Caesars to win the award. Skenes is still having a great year, but he is no longer looking unhittable, while Merrill is putting up very good numbers for San Diego. Merrill is listed with odds of -150 at Caesars.  Let’s look at NL Rookie of the Year odds and also take a quick glance at AL Rookie of the Year odds.

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2024 National League Rookie of The Year Odds

Jackson Merrill -150

Paul Skenes +125

Jackson Chourio +2000

Tyler Fitzgerald +4500

James Wood +5000

Gavin Stone +7500

Masyn Winn +10000

Shota Imanaga +10000

Michael Busch +12500

Joey Ortiz +15000

Merrill is hitting .291 with 18 home runs in 123 games. It also helps Merrill that the Padres are in the midst of a pennant race, as San Diego is the top Wild Card team in the National League and within striking distance of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West title. Pittsburgh has fallen off the pace and out of the playoff race, losing 12 of their last 15 games. Merrill would be running away with the NL Rookie of the Year Award in any other season. He has a 3.7 WAR, which is 12^th in the National League among all hitters. Skenes was the overall No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and he has very good numbers with a 2.30 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 98 innings in 16 starts. Merrill and Skenes have distanced themselves from all other contenders and unless something really unforeseen happens, one of the two will win the award.

The American League Rookie of the Year Award race looks to be over, as Baltimore outfielder Colton Cowser is a -450 favorite at Caesars to win the award. He is well clear of the second choice, catcher Austin Wells of the New York Yankees who is listed with odds of +450 at Caesars. Those are the only two players listed at single-digit odds, as the next closest in terms of baseball betting odds is Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox at odds of +1400.  Here are the latest AL Rookie of the Year odds.

2024 American League Rookie of The Year Odds

Colton Cowser -450

Austin Wells +450

Wilyer Abreu +1400

Luis Gil +1800

Ceddanne Rafaela +2500

Colt Keith +3500

Spencer Horwitz +4000

Wyatt Langford +4000

Jackson Holliday +6000

Mason Miller +6000

Nolan Schanuel +7000

David Hamilton +8000

Ben Rice +10000

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