By Toby Morollo
Sports Reporter
This season, we have seen some unexpected and record-breaking talent all over the diamond. From record-setting home run hitters to dominant pitchers and lock-down fielders, many MLB players are deserving of awards this season. With fewer than ten games to play this season, it’s time to predict the winners of the league’s top honors.
AL Rookie Of The Year: Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge has truly had one of the best rookie seasons ever in terms of batting success. Standing at six feet, seven inches, Judge is one of the biggest players the MLB has ever seen, and power comes with his size. Judge’s 30 home runs before the All-Star break set a new rookie record. His Home Run Derby win also helped him establish himself as one of the best power hitters in baseball. Despite a slump in July and August, Judge leads the American League with 48 homers. In addition to his home runs, he holds first place in walks (118), on-base percentage (1.014) and slugging percentage (.599). Judge’s dominant hitting season has made him the top rookie in the AL this season, and his value has propelled the Yankees to an unexpected playoff berth.
NL Rookie Of The Year: Cody Bellinger
Another young and powerful hitter, Cody Bellinger has been the clear cut rookie of the year since August. First, Bellinger has had a solid defensive performance this season, playing both left field and right field along with his main position, first base. At the plate, however, is where Bellinger shows his worth. His rookie home run total of 39 has surpassed the previous NL Rookie records by Wally Berger (1930) and Frank Robinson (1956). His batting average (.274) also marks him as one of the best in the NL among rookies. Finally, his performance has been essential to his team’s success, helping the Dodgers clinch the NL West title.
AL Cy Young: Chris Sale
The race for the AL Cy Young has been a tight one this season, but Sale has finally taken the edge over Indians ace Corey Kluber. During Sale’s last outing, he struck out 13 batters, marking his 300th strikeout of the season; Sale is just the second pitcher in 15 years to reach that mark. Sale takes the edge over Kluber because he’s led the Red Sox, a team that has relied on pitching all season, with dominance since April. Kluber, on the other hand, spent time on the Designated List with an injury and has only recently pitched so well. Sale’s 300th strikeout brings him up to 13 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. Kluber does have the better ERA, however, 2.35 to Sales 2.75, so it will be a close call for the award.
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw
Despite the close race in the NL for the Cy Young award, Clayton Kershaw has been influential in leading the Dodgers to clinch the National League. His 17-4 record leads the NL pitchers, and his 2.20 ERA marks him as one of the best in the MLB. The Washington Nationals Max Scherzer is another worthy pitcher, but he has other stars in his rotation, such as Stephen Strasburg, and Gio Gonzalez. Kershaw, while also in a good rotation, has been the clear-cut reason the Dodgers have had so much success this season.
AL MVP: Jose Altuve
Jose Altuve came out this season booming. Coming off a 3rd place finish for the MVP spot the previous season, he’s set to make this season the best of his career. His leading batting average of .346 is 17 points above runner-up Avisail Garcia, and he has a strong slugging percentage of .555. His outstanding batting average has brought him near 200 hits already this season. His base-running has also been a key to his successful season; with 32 stolen bases, he holds second place in the AL for stolen bases. The second baseman has had a huge breakout season and has led his Houston Astros to a division win.
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton
Though he is yet another power hitter among many in the MLB, Giancarlo Stanton’s 56 homers this season can’t go unrewarded. Joey Votto makes this decision difficult, as he has also had an amazing season and has a significantly lower strikeout total (76 fewer). Stanton’s 54 point lead in slugging and his shutdown performance in the field, though, are both among the best in the NL. Neither Votto’s Reds nor Stanton’s Marlins will make the playoffs, so value comes down to individual performance, and Stanton’s overwhelming home run count of 56 surpasses Votto’s performance.
