According to BetMGM data, Shohei Ohtani was the most bet-on athlete across all sports last year. While NFL games attracted the highest volume of bets on game outcomes in 2025, individual player bets mostly focused on Ohtani, the two-way star of the World Series-winning and the National League’s MVP. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was the second most bet on player.
The data from BetMGM, which mostly covers prop bets based on player performance (such as MVP awards), highlights the popularity of Ohtani in the betting world. For example, Caesars Sportsbook offered various World Series prop bets related to Ohtani’s performance, including whether he’d hit a leadoff home run or collect a certain number of hits—though none of those specific outcomes occurred.
Other favored MLB players among bettors, aside from Ohtani, were all powerful hitters like Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Elie De La Cruz, Riley Greene, and Bryce Harper.
However, last year’s most notorious MLB prop bet controversy involved pitchers rather than hitters. Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz faced federal charges for “pitch fraud,” accused of tipping off gamblers about pitch types and speeds outside the strike zone, enabling substantial illegal winnings. Despite maintaining innocence, Clase faces a May trial and, if found guilty on four counts, could face up to nine years in federal prison. Additionally, both pitchers risk permanent bans from baseball. Clase, under contract for $6 million this year, also has options for future seasons, putting investor funds at risk.
Following this scandal, MLB reached an agreement with sportsbooks to cap wagers on pitch-specific prop bets at $200, addressing fraud risks linked to these “microbet” markets, which focus on single-player, one-time events such as ball/strike calls or pitch velocity. MLB noted that while most prop bets depend on multiple factors, pitch-level bets are particularly vulnerable to manipulation.
Fans can sign up for news updates from the Dugout, with stories originally from the Los Angeles Times.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for baseball fans because it highlights the growing intersection between the sport and sports betting, emphasizing both the opportunities and risks involved. Ensuring integrity in betting, especially amid scandals like the pitch-fraud case, is vital to preserving trust in the game and protecting its future.
