As the MLB season comes to a close with the Boston Red Sox winning the leagues ultimate prize, the finalists for the Cy Young, MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year awards have been announced.
AL Rookie of the Year:
Miguel Andujar — Yankees
Shohei Ohtani — Angels
Gleyber Torres — Yankees
NL Rookie of the Year:
Ronald Acuña, Jr. — Braves
Juan Soto — Nationals
Walker Buehler — Dodgers
AL Manager of the Year
Kevin Cash — Rays
Bob Melvin — A’s
Alex Cora — Red Sox
NL Manager of the Year
Bud Black — Rockies
Craig Counsell — Brewers
Brian Snitker — Braves
AL Cy Young
Corey Kluber — Indians
Blake Snell — Rays
Justin Verlander — Astros
NL Cy Young
Jacob deGrom — Mets
Aaron Nola — Phillies
Max Scherzer — Nationals
AL Most Valuable Player
Mookie Betts — Red Sox
Jose Ramirez — Indians
Mike Trout — Angels
NL Most Valuable Player
Nolan Arenado — Rockies
Javy Baez — Cubs
Christian Yelich — Brewers
Most of the nods were not exactly surprising. Managing a World Series-winning team in his first year as a team manager says a lot about the kind of buy-in environment Alex Cora was able to foster with his team, which should make him a shoo-in to win the category.
The only unexpected name to not make the Cy Young cut was Chris Sale, but with a rough end of the season, it seems he just missed the mark. While the six finalists all had amazing seasons, if deGrom doesn’t win for the NL, the world may burn.
The MVP categories seem all but determined, too. With Betts in the AL group, it’s all but a given that he will take that category especially since J.D. Martinez didn’t make the finalist cut.
The MLB will announce the winners next week, though, so for now, it’s anyone’s game… almost.