As Corbin Carroll prepares to embark on his first full big league season, the hype continues to grow.
The Diamondbacks center fielder was recently named the top prospect in Major League Baseball by The Athletic’s Keith Law, and the oddsmakers are envisioning success from the get-go.
Corbin is the favorite to win the 2023 National League Rookie of the Year, according to DraftKings. Carroll has +380 odds, which outpaces Dodgers shortstop Miguel Vargas (+450) and Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (+600).
Arizona has a regular season over/under win total of only 74.5 and is a +550 underdog to make the playoffs. However, the Diamondbacks have a group of prospects that could start to turn things around after several seasons of subpar baseball.
Carroll is the ringleader of the group and will aim to win the first Rookie of the Year in franchise history. FanGraphs has projected him to hit .253 this season with 15 home runs, 78 RBIs, 71 runs scored and 19 stolen bases, with a triple slash line of .253/.341/.428 for an OPS of .769.
Carroll is projected to be a plus defender and accumulate a WAR of 3.6, which would be a fantastic showing from a first-year player.
Here are the top-11 candidates to win National League Rookie of the Year heading into the 2023 season:
- Corbin Carroll +380
- Miguel Vargas +450
- Jordan Walker +600
- Kodai Senga +900
- Ezequiel Tovar +1000
- Cade Cavalli +1200
- Andrew Painter +1500
- Matt Mervis +1500
- Ely De La Cruz +1500
- Sal Frelick +1800
- Francisco Alvarez +1800
Matthew Liberatore An Intriguing Longshot Pick For National League Rookie of the Year
There are 26 candidates listed on the early Rookie of the Year betting list. One of the more intriguing longshots is St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore at +4000 odds.
He is a former first-round pick who is 23 years old and currently seen as the favorite to win the No. 5 starting spot in the St. Louis rotation.
Liberatore was not very good last season but he is a former top prospect, and the Cardinals seemingly always find ways to make their hurlers productive. If Liberatore can remain in the rotation and finish with an ERA in the high-3s, he could rack up a solid number of wins for a good team.
There is plenty of downside in this bet, as Liberatore could easily play much of the season in the minor leagues or in the bullpen, but there is enough intrigue to justify the flier.
Here are the rest of the candidates to win National League Rookie of the Year:
- Spencer Steer +2000
- Brett Baty +2500
- Garrett Mitchell +3500
- Michael Busch +3500
- Matthew Liberatore +4000
- Kyle Harrison +4000
- Bobby Miller +5000
- Ryan Pepiot +5000
- Jared Shuster +6000
- Brandon Pfaadt +6000
- Eury Perez +7500
- Eguy Rosario +7500
- Quinn Priester +9000
- Noelvi Marte +10000
- Brennen Davis +10000
