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Jonathan India’s NL Rookie of the Year Odds Leap Into Top Five

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 13, 2021 · 10:13 PM PDT

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India throwing from his knees
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India throws to first base after fielding a grounder hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
  • Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India has +1000 odds to win National League Rookie of the Year
  • India was not on the board when the season began on April 1 but has hit .355 in his first nine games
  • A look at the NL Rookie of the Year odds can be found below with betting advice

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India did not even have odds to win the National League Rookie of the Year when the season started a little less than two weeks.

Following a hot start to his career, India is now the fifth choice to win capture the award at +1000. Though he still trails Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, Miami Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez, Atlanta Braves righty Ian Anderson, and St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Dylan Carlson in the NL Rookie of the Year odds, India has been recognized a credible candidate.

2021 NL Rookie of the Year Odds

Player Odds
Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pirates) +350
Sixto Sanchez (Marlins) +500
Ian Anderson (Braves) +600
Dylan Carlson (Cardinals) +700
Jonathan India (Reds) +1000
Spencer Howard (Phillies) +1500
MacKenzie Gore (Padres) +1500
Joey Bart (Giants) +1500
Cristian Pache (Braves) +1600
Ha-Seong Kim (Padres) +1800
Tyler Stephenson (Reds) +1800
Oneil Cruz (Pirates) +2000
Nick Lodolo (Reds) +2500
Jazz Chisholm (Marlins) +2500
Miguel Amaya (Cubs) +3000
Adonis Medina (Phillies) +3000
Seth Romero (Nationals) +3000
Lewin Diaz (Marlins) +3500
Pavin Smith (Diamondbacks) +3500
Seth Beer (Diamondbacks) +3500
William Contreras (Braves) +3500
Brailyn Marquez (Cubs) +4000
Josiah Gray (Dodgers) +4000
Luis Campusano (Padres) +4000
J.J. Bleday (Marlins) +4000
Adbert Alzolay (Cubs) +4000
Drew Waters (Braves) +4000
Keibert Ruiz (Dodgers) +4000
Heliot Ramos (Giants) +5000

Odds as of April 13 at BetMGM.

India Making His Mark

India has certainly opened eyes in the early stages of his career after entering spring training as a longshot to make the team. Through nine games, the 24-year-old right-handed hitter has gone 11-for-31 (.355) with one double, one triple and 11 RBIs.

That came following a fine showing in spring training. India went 15 for 48 (.313) in the Cactus League with five doubles and three walks.

India made such a good impression that he caused Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall and manager David Bell to rethink their infield plans.

The Reds decided to shift Mike Moustakas from second base to third base – his natural position – to open a spot in the lineup for India. That also necessitated moving Eugenio Suarez from third base to shortstop.

Having Suarez change positions showed just how highly the Reds think of India. They risked compromising their defense by moving Suarez to a premium position that he has not played regularly since 2015. They also risked getting Suarez out of his comfort zone just two years removed from a 49-home run season.

Furthermore, India was primarily a third baseman in the minor league, playing just five professional games at second prior to this season.

However, the move has worked so far. The Reds have the best record in the National League at 7-3, lead the major leagues with an average of 6.9 runs scored a game are seventh in MLB in defensive efficiency.

Who Is Jonathan India?

The Reds selected India with the fifth-overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft. That followed a breakout junior season at the University of Florida in which he hit .350 with 21 home runs in 68 games.

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Yet, despite the pedigree of being a top-five pick, India was not considered an overly hot prospect coming into spring training. He was not on the top 100 prospect lists of Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, or MLB.com

Baseball America did have India ranked as the Reds’ third-best prospect. The magazine also said he was the star of the Reds’ alternate training site last year when the minor-league season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

India posted pedestrian statistics in two minor league seasons, though, with a .254 batting average and 17 homers in 165 games.

Can He Win Rookie of the Year?

It is interesting to note that India came to the major leagues with little hype during a time when prospects are written and talked about more than ever. Did the prospect mavens have India underrated or is he just a guy off to a good start?

Only time will provide that answer.

This has the feel of a wide-open NL Rookie of the Year race. The top two choices, Hayes (wrist) and Sanchez (Marlins), are already injured.

Thus, it certainly would not hurt to put at least a small wager on India now before his odds potentially improve.

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