Dodgers 2B Gavin Lux Favored to Win 2020 NL Rookie of the Year; Rodgers, Gore Distant Second

By John Perrotto in MLB Baseball
Updated: March 30, 2021 at 8:24 am EDTPublished:

- The odds to win National League Rookie of the Year have been released
- LA Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux is favored after a huge minor-league season last year
- See the opening 2020 NL ROY odds and betting analysis, below
Gavin Lux became one of the hottest prospects in baseball last year with a monster season in the minor leagues. The infielder then made a solid impression in a 23-game stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 22-year-old made an impression on the oddsmakers, too. Online sportsbooks have installed him as the favorite to win 2020 National League Rookie of the Year.
Odds to Win 2020 National League Rookie of the Year
Player | Odds |
---|---|
Gavin Lux, Dodgers | +350 |
Brendan Rodgers, Rockies | +800 |
MacKenzie Gore, Padres | +800 |
Carter Kieboom, Nationals | +1000 |
Dustin May, Dodgers | +1000 |
Dylan Carlson, Cardinals | +1200 |
Jon Duplantier, Diamondbacks | +1200 |
Mitch Keller, Pirates | +1200 |
Nico Hoerner, Cubs | +1200 |
Cristian Pache, Braves | +1600 |
Joey Bart, Giants | +1600 |
Sixto Sanchez, Marlins | +1600 |
Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates | +2000 |
Kyle Wright, Braves | +2000 |
Nick Lodolo, Reds | +2000 |
Jesus Sanchez, Marlins | +3300 |
David Peterson, Mets | +4000 |
Drew Rasmussen, Brewers | +4000 |
Spencer Howard, Phillies | +4000 |
Brusdar Graterol, Dodgers | +5000 |
Alec Bohm, Phillies | +6600 |
Andres Gimenez, Mets | +6600 |
Brailyn Marquez, Cubs | +6600 |
Daulton Varsho, Diamondbacks | +6600 |
Heliot Ramos, Giants | +6600 |
JJ Bleday, Marlins | +6600 |
Josiah Gray, Dodgers | +6600 |
Luis Campusano, Padres | +6600 |
Luis Patino, Padres | +6600 |
Odds taken March 4.
The Dodgers are known for their strong player-development system, which produced the 2016 and 2017 NL Rookie of the Year winners in Kyle Seager and Cody Bellinger.
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso was the unanimous winner of the award last season after belting a rookie-record 53 home runs. He also captured the All-Star Home Run Derby.
Lux Ready for Majors
Lux, 22, can play both middle infield positions but is slotted to be the Dodgers’ starting second baseman this season as shortstop is already Seager’s domain.
In his first taste of the big leagues, Lux hit .240/.305/.400 with two home runs and two stolen bases. He also started three games when the Dodgers were upset by the Washington Nationals in the NL Division Series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s68pl_WcXck
The left-handed hitter posted a .347/.421/.607 triple-slash line with 26 homers and 10 stolen bases in 113 minor league games between Triple-A and Double-A.
Rodgers Still Rehabbing
Brendan Rodgers will begin the season on the injured list for the Colorado Rockies while recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder last July.
The middle infielder is blocked at shortstop at the major league level by Trevor Story. However, after a likely stint at Triple-A once healthy, Rodgers could eventually take playing time away from second baseman Ryan McMahon.
Rogers, 23, made his major-league debut last season and batted .224/.272/.250 in 25 games.
Brendan Rogers in the batting cage in Philadelphia. In the lineup tonight playing second base and batting seventh. Will make his major league debut. Rockies number one prospect. Word is that his parents are on the way to Philly! pic.twitter.com/bxUJqAZTZo
— Jerry Schemmel (@jschemmel6) May 17, 2019
How Far Away is Gore?
Left-hander MacKenzie Gore’s chances of seeing much time in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres this year are iffy. The 21-year-old is expected to begin the season at the Double-A level.
However, there is no denying Gore’s talent. Last season, he was a combined 9-2 with a 1.69 ERA in 20 starts at the Class A and Double-A levels while striking out 135 in 101 innings.
Kieboom, May Both Intriguing
Carter Kieboom is the frontrunner to become the Nationals’ starting third baseman. He would replace Anthony Rendon, who signed a seven-year, $25-million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December as a free agent.
https://twitter.com/NBCSNationals/status/1235203381255385088
The 22-year-old Kieboom got his first taste of the major leagues last season but hit just .128/.209/.282 with two home runs in 11 games.
Right-hander Dustin May gives the Dodgers another strong Rookie of the Year candidate, though Los Angeles’ starting pitching depth could push him to Triple-A to start the season.
May, 22, made four starts and 10 relief appearances for the Dodgers in 2019. He had a 2-3 record, a 3.63 ERA and had 32 strikeouts in 34.2 innings.
A value play at +1200 is Dylan Carlson, who is competing for the St. Louis Cardinals’ left field job in spring training. The 21-year-old switch-hitter has yet to play in the big leagues but had a combined triple-slash line of .292/.372/.542 with 26 homers and 20 stolen bases in 126 games at Triple-A and Double-A.
Yet Lux is the clear best bet, even though he’s heavy chalk, as he will get regular at-bat for a Dodgers’ team that shapes as clearly the best in the NL.

Sports Writer
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.