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

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Mar 30, 2021 · 8:24 AM PDT

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Gavin Lux swings at a pitch
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Gavin Lux (9) swings at a pitch during a MLB game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 12, 2020 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. The 2020 regular season has been shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
  • 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.

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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.

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.

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.

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