Six years after winning the National League MVP as a member of the Washington Nationals, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies is an underdog in the odds to win the award in 2021.
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts and Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto are tied for the best odds, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing both at +750.
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich all have better odds than Harper as well.
Harper, who is entering his third season with the Phillies, has +1500 odds, the same as Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, the reigning World Series MVP.
Despite dealing with a back injury that left him unable to throw in the final days of the season, Harper slashed .268/.420/.542 with 13 home runs, 33 RBIs, a .962 OPS and a 1.6 fWAR. Additionally, Harper led baseball with 49 walks.
40 players appear on the board currently, including three other Phillies. J.T. Realmuto, who returned to the Phillies on a five-year/$115.5 million deal in the offseason, has +3000 odds. Rhys Hoskins has +4000 odds, as he continues to work his way back from offseason UCL surgery. Alec Bohm, entering his first full major league season, has +5000 odds.