Baseball season is fast approaching and when it comes to the American and National League Most Valuable Player races, there will be some familiar names leading the list.
In the AL, Shohei Ohtani is the front-runner at +185 according to the sportsbook. His Los Angeles Angels’ teammate, Mike Trout, is tied with home run record-holder Aaron Judge at +450.
Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres is leading the way in the National League at +450. Teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. will join him in the outfield after missing all of last season.
Tatis joins Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves at +850.
The Rookie of the Year odds are led by the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll (+350) in the National League and Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles (+325) in the American League.
For those more interested in team betting odds, Houston (+600) leads the New York Yankees (+700), New York Mets (+700), and Los Angeles Dodgers (+750) in the odds to win the World Series.
Let’s take a look at some rising stars who could join the conversation and let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB predictions. We’ve got plenty of MLB expert picks for you to consider.
1. Julio Rodriguez, Mariners outfielder
- Odds: +650 to win AL MVP
There was plenty of buzz surrounding Rodriguez heading into the 2022 season and he did not disappoint. He hit .284 with 25 doubles, 28 home runs, 75 RBIs and 84 runs in 132 games.
The biggest question with Rodriguez is whether he is best suited at the top of the lineup or as a run producer hitting third or fourth.
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He had 25 stolen bases and was seventh in the AL MVP voting while winning the Rookie of the Year award.
When it comes to pure talent, it might be hard to name many current major leagues with a brighter future.
Seattle is tied for ninth at +1600 in the odds to win the World Series according to the MLB playoff odds.
2. Wander Franco, Rays infielder
- Odds: +2200 to win AL MVP
After finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, Franco was ready to take the next step last season. However, he was limited to just 83 games due to injury.
Franco figures to be a .300 hitter sooner rather than later after batting .288 and .277 in his first two seasons.
Despite missing half the season, he still finished with 46 runs and 29 extra-base hits.
The most encouraging numbers might be 26 walks and 33 strikeouts, a remarkable ratio for a 21-year-old.
Franco committed just five errors in 72 games at shortstop as well.
3. Adley Rutschman, Orioles catcher
- Odds: +2200 to win AL MVP
The former No. 1 overall pick in a loaded 2019 MLB Draft that saw Bobby Witt go second to Kansas City and Andrew Vaughn third to the Chicago White Sox, Rutschman is another player who could easily have spent the entire 2022 season in the majors.
Rutschman had 35 doubles and 49 extra-base hits in 113 games. He also walked 65 times.
Baltimore needs to continue to add pieces around him for Rutschman to reach his offensive potential.
Rutschman threw out 11 runners in 84 games at catcher.
4. Michael Harris, Braves outfielder
- Odds: +3300 to win NL MVP
Harris had 27 doubles, 19 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 75 runs scored in just 114 games as a rookie. One has to wonder what his final stat line would have looked like had he played with the Braves all season.
While the strikeout/walk ratio leaves something to be decided, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year did finish 13th in the MVP balloting and he will have some big hitters behind him to drive him in.
Harris is priced at +3300 per the Las Vegas odds to lead the majors in runs scored.
5. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins second baseman
- Odds: +4000 to win NL MVP
Chisholm was on pace to hit 38 home runs, drive in 121 runs, steal 30 bases and score 105 runs a season ago before suffering a season-ending injury.
It is unlikely that Chisholm will ever threaten to win the National League batting title, but he could easily be a 30 home run-30 stolen base player on an annual basis and he could certainly factor into the MVP race.
Chisholm just turned 25 so the best should be yet to come. He is tied for 11th in the odds to lead the majors in stolen bases.
6. Oneil Cruz, Pirates Infielder
- Odds: +8000 to win National League MVP
Cruz is a dynamic player with 34 extra-base hits and 17 home runs in 87 games as he was sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting.
A season with 30 home runs seems like a realistic goal for the 24-year-old. However, 126 strikeouts in 331 at-bats is a little frightening, as are his 17 errors in 79 games at shortstop.
