The World Series is now in our rearview mirror, though the champion Astros remain. reveling in their victory The 2022 season is almost over, but there’s one more thing left: the awards!
Starting at 6 p.m., the winners of MLB’s four major End-of-Season awards — Manager of the Year (Rookie of the Year), Manager of the Year (Manager of the Year), Cy Young Award, and Most Valuable Player – will be announced. ET on MLB Network every day this Week
Five of this year’s six finalists reached the playoffs, unlike last year when none of the MVP candidates made it to the postseason — last year’s AL MVP being the only one who did. Shohei OhtaniOnce again, October was without a single one. One of the six made it to the Fall Classic, and won. Yordan Alvarez. It’s not surprising that the AL’s MVP race is led by none other then Aaron Judge, while the NL race has two competitors — Paul Goldschmidt Nolan Arenado — Competing to win the honors
It’s not over, there are plenty of things to do in the other races. At 39 years old Justin Verlander On Wednesday, he could win the third Cy Young award of his career, while on the contrary, Sandy Alcantara He could make Marlins’ franchise history if he wins in the NL the Cy Young.
You will find everything you need for awards week, including a preview of each award and predictions from ESPN MLB experts about who should win it. As each award is presented, this page will be updated with the latest results and analysis.
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Rookie of the year: NL | AL
Manager of Year: NL | AL
Cy Young: NL | AL
MVP: NL | AL
National League Rookie-of-the Year
Finalists:
Experts’ picks: Harris (8 votes), Strider (5)
Here are some things to consider: The Braves were able to take off in June when Harris was called up from Double-A to play centerfield and Strider was moved from the bullpen onto the rotation. It was one of the best rookie tandems I have ever seen. They’re expected to finish at least 1-2 in the balloting — and that’s only three of their teammates since 1980, when ranked voting was introduced. Craig Kimbrel Freddie Freeman Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith, of the Braves in 2011, and Alvin Davis (Mariners) and Mark Langston (1984) of the Cubs.
The Braves knew Harris could play defensively, and he was able to handle them in 43 games. However, Harris’s offense surprised everyone when he made his way up the majors. For a stellar all-around season, he hit.297/.337/.514 with 19 runs and added 20 stolens in 22 attempts. Harris was the 34th rookie position player to earn 5.3 bWAR. With 114 games, he also had the most games.
Strider was a dominating force with his upper 90s fastball, wipeout slider and upper-90s fastball. He struck out 202 batters in just 13 1/3 innings. This made him the 10th rookie with 200 strikeouts since 1969 and the first since. Yu Darvish 2012 He kept batters at.180 and ended up finishing 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA.
Although Donovan was not considered a top prospect in 2022, he made a great season as a utility pitcher, playing six positions and hitting.281/.394/.379, and winning the Gold Glove. He was seventh among majors players in on-base percentage.
Our experts predict Harris will win, but historical precedent has shown that the pitcher is more likely to win in close races. Braves fans can enjoy both the Harris and Strider duo for many years, no matter who wins. Harris signed a potentially 10-year extension, while Strider could have signed a seven year extension. — David Schoenfield
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American League Rookie-of-the Year
Finalists:
Experts’ picks: Rodriguez (12 votes), Rutschman (1)
Here are some things to consider: The American League field had so many players that it was difficult to find a postseason hero. Jeremy Pena None of the Astros made it to the final three. Rodriguez (6.2), Kwan (5.5) and Rutschman (5.2) each reached 5.0 WAR. This is only the second time since Jackie Robinson won Rookie of Year in 1947, when three position players from one league achieved that mark (joining Mark McGwire, Kevin Seitzer, and Devon White in 1987).
Rodriguez is the overwhelming favorite. This is despite Kwan and Rutschman’s seasons. Rodriguez was the only rookie to hit.284/.345/.509 and had 28 home runs as well as 25 stolen bases. Mike Trout Chris Young. Rodriguez displayed more than the numbers. He also showed the “it” factor by playing a high-energy, enthusiastic game that was reminiscent of another former Mariners centerfielder (who did no win Rookie of The Year).
Rutschman may have had a better chance of winning if he hadn’t suffered a strain to his triceps in spring training. This delayed his debut until May 21, which coincidentally was right around when the Orioles began to go on. their surprising run. He had a batting average of.254/.362/.445 and 13 home runs. His defense and leadership were excellent. His outstanding approach at the plate (65 runs, 86 strikeouts), is a major plus that should lead to improved offense. He and Rodriguez both have MVP-level ceilings.
Kwan attracted attention after he went 5-for-5 during the third game. He really never stopped hitting and finished at.298. Kwan and Rutschman were Oregon State’s co-educators. In 2018, the Beavers won College World Series. Schoenfield
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National League Manager of Year
Finalists:
Experts’ picks: Showalter (6 Votes), Snitker(5), Roberts(1), Philadelphia Phillies’ Rob Thomson(1)
Here are some things to consider: This seems like a tossup considering Roberts’ Dodgers won the most games in the National League since 1906. He also rates himself as the third favorite on this board. This was Roberts’ fourth win at least 104 games. His Manager of the Year award went to the Dodgers in 2016.
This year, he won’t win because, as dominant as the Dodgers were during the regular season (remember that voting takes place before the playoffs), Showalter managed to lead a Mets team from 77-85 and bring it to 101 wins. The Braves and Mets had perhaps more compelling stories. Showalter took over the Mets team after a 77-85 season. He guided them to 101 wins and their first playoff trip since 2016. Showalter was able to bring professionalism to a team in dire need, as well as ensuring that the defense was sound. He also managed to achieve all of that success, even though the team had been down. Jacob deGrom Did not start a single game until August. Snitker, who was awarded this award in 2018, led the Braves to their fifth consecutive division title. The Braves rallied from 10.5 games behind on June 1, and beat the Mets the last week to capture the division. Schoenfield
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American League Manager of Year
Finalists:
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Terry Francona, Cleveland Guardians
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Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles
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Scott Servais, Seattle Mariners
Experts’ picks: Hyde (6 votes), Francona ((6), Houston Astros’ Dusty Baker (1)
Here are some things to consider: Baker won the title of manager of year after he ended his personal World Series drought. However, he isn’t even a finalist. This race is between Hyde, Francona and Baker. The Orioles’ and Guardians’ surprise of 2022 was perhaps the most surprising.
Hyde’s fourth season was a success. His team went from 52 to 83 wins, which is one of the greatest single-season improvements in baseball history. They also remained in the playoff race through the end. Hyde’s win rate should exceed expectations, which is a standard in this award. Francona’s advantage: The Guardians won AL Central with an impressive 92-70 record. That is 12 games more than expected for a team with both the youngest and most experienced pitching staffs in the majors. Francona’s ability and willingness to work with young players is an admirable strength that could win him his third MOY Award. Schoenfield
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How the Guardians turned the AL Central race into a one-team sprint
How the Orioles — yes, the Baltimore Orioles — became the hottest team in MLB
National League Cy Young
Finalists:
Experts’ picks: Alcantara (13 votes) (unanimous choice)
Here are some things to consider: Alcantara may win the unanimous vote. Alcantara went 14-9 and had a 2.28 ERA. He also led the majors in innings with 228 1/3 innings and six complete games. Although those numbers aren’t remarkable a decade back, they were the most innings ever pitched by a starter. David Price In 2016, Alcantara played 23 more innings than any other NL pitcher. Alcantara threw at least eight innings in each of his 32 starts and his 8.0 bWAR was a significant advantage over Aaron Nola’s 6.0 which is the second-highest among NL pitchers.
Urias ended up leading the NL in ERA with 2.16, but he only pitched 175 innings in 31 games — a great example of how much more innings Alcantara gave than any Cy Young finalist. Alcantara’s season was even more impressive because 23 of his 32 starts were against teams that are at least.500. Fried made 17 of his 30 starts against winners teams while Urias had 16 of 31, although he was a remarkable 11-3 with a 1.45 ERA. This one is Alcantara’s, though, as he will be the first Marlins pitcher ever to win a Cy Young Award. Kevin Brown was second in 1996. Schoenfield
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American League Cy Young
Finalists:
Experts’ picks: Verlander (12 Votes), Cease (1)
Here are some things to consider: This is what you refer to as a comeback year. After sustaining Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow, Verlander was back at 39. He went 18-4, had a 1.75 ERA and led the AL with wins and ERA. These two categories are your top and most popular league rankings, and you are the favorite to win The Cy Young Award. Verlander was also the leader in the majors for the lowest batting average (.186), the lowest OBP (.227), and the lowest slugging percentage (.270).
Cease (14-8; 2.20 ERA and 227 strikeouts), and Manoah (16-7; 2.24 ERA, 196 1/3 innings) are two of the most promising young starters in baseball. There are many reasons to support both. Cease topped the AL pitchers’ charts with 6.4 bWAR. Verlander and Manoah were close behind at 5.9, while Shohei Ohtani (non-finalist) was at 6.2. Manoah pitched 21 fewer innings that Verlander, which is significant. Manoah also pitched in the league’s toughest division, with a 1.90 ERA. After winning the Cy Young Award in 2011, 2019 and three runner-up finishes, this seems like Verlander’s year. Schoenfield
Cy Young must-reads:
The fall of the starting pitcher — and one young ace who signifies hope for the future
From Tommy John to Cy Young form at 39? Inside Justin Verlander’s unprecedented return to dominance
MVP of the National League
Finalists:
Experts’ picks: Goldschmidt (6 votes), Machado (4), Arenado (3)
Here are some things to consider: Goldschmidt was the favourite after he had hit.404/.471/.817, with 10 homers and 33 RBIs in May. He was hot up until September, when his numbers dropped to.245 and he only managed two home runs. However, by that time, the Cardinals had won a division title, and Goldschmidt’s MVP storyline seemed set in stone. However, our experts suggest it may not be as certain. While Arenado (7.9) actually beat Goldschmidt (7.5) in bWAR however, the difference is small. Machado (7.4) was in the lead in FanGraphs’ WAR over Arenado (7.3) and Goldschmidt (7.1).
Goldschmidt finished at.317/.404/.578 and had 35 home runs and 115 RBIs. This made him the best hitter in NL. Support for Machado and Arenado centers around their defense and the WAR numbers that were pretty close. While Goldschmidt led the NL with win probability added, Machado was second. Arenado was not in the top 10. However, some clutch numbers favor Arenado. He had a.988 OPS when he was in high-leverage situations (Goldschmidt at.895) and a.864 OPS in “late and close” situations. Goldschmidt was at.789.
MVP voters are likely to be more concerned with a player’s WAR in the last decade. That should make this a split voting vote. In close races it often seems that the MVP goes to the best hitter, and that’s Goldschmidt. Although he has been a two-time MVP runner-up and one time third, I believe he is finally the winner at 34. Schoenfield
Must-reads for MVP:
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MVP of the American League
Finalists:
Experts’ picks: Judge (12 votes), Ohtani (1)
Here are some things to consider: You may have heard of this one. Ohtani pitched 15-9, with a 2.33 ERA (and 219 strikeouts) as a pitcher. His 6.2 pitching bWAR of 6.2 was second in the AL, and he will likely finish fourth in the Cy Young voting. He was the AL’s fifth-best hitter with a hit rate of.273/.356/.519, which included 34 home runs and 95 RBIs. This is a top-five pitching pitcher and top-five hitter. This is the season of the superheroes.
It was still not enough. Judge’s season was also significant: 62 homers, 13 RBIs, and 133 runs. Also, Judge had.425 OBP and.686 slugging. Judge led the AL in every category, most importantly in dominant fashion. This was in a season where offense was at its lowest level since 2015. It was the greatest offensive season since peak Barry Bonds. If you don’t want Bonds to be included, you will have to go back in time to Ted Williams or Mickey Mantle from the 1950s. Judge finished with 10.6 bWAR compared to Ohtani’s pitching-plus-hitting total of 9.6. Because Ohtani was a DH, WAR gives Ohtani a positional penality. You might argue that this is unfair, because Ohtani clearly plays another position — pitcher.
However, it is possible to add up the numbers without excluding position: Ohtani produced an approximate 31 runs more than the average hitter, and saved 40 runs, for a total total of 71 run. Judge produced an approximately 80 run more than the average hitter. This is how great he was at the plate. Better than Ohtani, the pitcher, and Ohtani, the hitter. Judge’s MVP award is therefore a worthy honor. Schoenfield
Must-reads for MVP:
The road to 62: How Aaron Judge made home run history in 2022
Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani: How to compare two radically different MVP contenders
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