Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2020 MLB Rookie of the Year Odds and Expert Betting Predictions

by Jason Radowitz - 7/17/2020

Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox

Being a rookie in 2020 can’t be a good feeling knowing you’re only going to play a third of a season. However, there will be many rookies given a chance with plenty of players opting out of the 2020 season due to the Corona Virus worldwide pandemic. Here are the rookies that are in line for a solid workload in 2020:

The AL Rookie of the Year

The Favorites:

Luis Robert: +300
Jesus Luzardo: +450
Brendan McKay: +750
Casey Mize: +1000
Jo Adell: +1100

My Pick: Luis Robert +300

The 2019 AL Rookie of the Year, Yordan Alverez, won the Rookie of the Year with just 87 games played. Alvarez made his debut on June 9th and 27 home runs in those 87 games.

In the minors, he hit 23 homers before making his debut, so he really had a 50 home-run season.



When you look at rookies in the AL, they’re mostly pitchers. Luzardo, McKay and Mize are all in the top group to win the award. If you’re like me and don’t believe a rookie pitcher will be able to do enough to win the award, then you have two legitimate options in Luis Robert and Jo Adell.

Adell is just 20-years-old and struggled in Triple A last season. He’s supposed to be a bright outfielder, but his production won’t be very big in the MLB this season.

That’s why I’m on Robert. Robert destroyed Triple A pitching last season, unlike Adell. He hit .297 with 16 home runs in 47 games in Triple A. Robert has the power, speed, and glove that will make him a quality player in the league for years to come. The White Sox are lucky to have a 22-year-old like Robert.

Robert will have to beat out below average players like Adam Engel and Leury Garcia for the centerfield position this season. And for a team that truly believes they can compete this year, they’ll make sure to have the best talent on the field throughout this shortened season.


The NL Rookie of the Year

The Favorites:

Gavin Lux: +200
Mitch Keller: +750
Dylan Carlson: +900
Carter Kieboom: +1000
Dustin May: +1200
MacKenzie Gore: +1200

My Pick: Gavin Lux +200

Last year’s Rookie of the Year was an easy selection with the Mets first baseman Pete Alonso breaking the all-time rookie record for homers in a season. His power was ridiculous as he also won the Home Run Derby as a rookie in 2019.

Gavin Lux isn’t going to achieve a home run rookie record because, for one, he’s only playing a third of a normal season. The other reason is because he won’t have the power that Alonso possesses.

In this group of rookies, there are, again, many pitchers at the top of the board. However, Gavin Lux is an infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and already saw time in the big leagues last season.

Lux didn’t dominate at the MLB level last season like he dominated in Triple A. Lux hit just two homers and 9 RBI’s with a batting average of .240 in 23 games and 75 at bats.

Lux has many unique tools in his skillset, and the Dodgers know what they have. This team hasn’t had a reliable second baseman in quite some time, meaning second base is Lux’s to lose at this point.

If you recall, Lux hit a pinch-hit home run in his first career postseason plate appearance. He can perform on the big stage. Having some time under his belt in the MLB last season should help him feel comfortable and perform at the higher level.

Doc’s Sports is offering $60 in member’s baseball picks – no obligation, no sales people – you don’t even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any of our top MLB handicappers.  Get $60 worth of premium members’ picks free. Also, for a limited time only get three MLB handicappers for the price of one. Click here for details. Get free MLB picks daily on Doc’s Sports homepage.

Most Recent Baseball Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers