A few weeks before the start of the 2024 MLB season, Austin Wells has emerged as the favorite for the American League Rookie of the Year.

The Yankees catcher played a surprisingly large role in the Bronx Bombers’ success this year, taking over the starting position after Jose Trevino suffered a thigh injury at the beginning of the season.

Wells was also often used as a cleanup hitter behind Juan Soto and Aaron Judge for the Yankees, providing the two superstars with much-needed protection.

After hitting a game-winning three-run home run in the seventh inning on Monday to help the Yankees to a 10-4 comeback victory over the Royals, Wells is now -140 at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the award, just ahead of Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser, who is at +135.

Wells has a slash line average of .252/.342/.438 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 100 games for the Yankees this season.

He has also proven to be one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, with a fielding run value of +11, which is the fourth-best in baseball.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Wells deserved a spot in the race, but he couldn’t have imagined the 25-year-old would play so well earlier this year.

“No, not at that level,” Boone said, according to MLB.com. “Not at the level he’s been at for a couple of months now – he’s batting fourth behind Aaron Judge and for good reason.”

Wells, whose odds to win were +2500 at BetMGM during spring training, takes control of the race for AL Rookie of the Year honors, which has been wide open all season.

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Orioles phenom Jackson Holliday was the favorite at the start, but quickly slipped down the odds tables after a bumpy start to the season.

In early June, Yankees pitcher Luis Gil took over the top spot after a dominant start to his career before waning somewhat over the course of the summer.

Gil remains the third favorite at FanDuel (+850).