The regular season is winding down, and the excitement of postseason baseball is palpable. Major awards voting will soon commence, with ballots being cast before the playoffs begin and winners announced after the World Series. This year has been marked by several standout performances that will make these decisions particularly challenging for voters.
Aaron Judge's Stellar Season
Aaron Judge is putting together one of the most remarkable offensive seasons in recent memory. Leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR, Judge's statistics are jaw-dropping: a .324/.460/.703 slash line (224 OPS+), with 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and an impressive 10.6 WAR. Additionally, Judge has proven his prowess on the basepaths with 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts and demonstrated versatility by playing out of position in center field for most of the season.
Shohei Ohtani: A Dual Threat
Not to be outdone, Shohei Ohtani has achieved a rare feat by hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season. Ohtani's numbers are equally impressive, boasting a .303/.386/.642 slash line (187 OPS+), 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR. His unique ability to excel both at the plate and on the mound continues to capture the imagination of baseball fans and experts alike.
Dominance on the Mound
The American League also features dominant pitching performances this season. Tarik Skubal has been nothing short of phenomenal, leading the league with an 18-4 record, 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings. His dominance is such that, in the words of one observer, "Kudos to Emmanuel Clase for an absolutely top-shelf relief season, and if Skubal didn't exist this season in the AL, I would have been ready to make the argument for a reliever."
Chris Sale is also making a strong case for Cy Young consideration with an 18-3 record, 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Despite not receiving a Cy Young vote since 2018, Sale's past accolades include finishing second, third, fourth (twice), fifth (twice), and sixth in Cy Young voting.
Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler has quietly put together an outstanding season with a 16-7 record, 2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, further crowding the field of deserving Cy Young candidates.
Surprising Contenders
The Cleveland Guardians have been one of the most surprising stories of the season. Initially projected to finish around .500 with a gambling win total set at 79, the Guardians were positioned in third place in the AL Central. They endured significant challenges, including the loss of ace Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and the underperformance of young talents Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen.
Nevertheless, the Guardians defied expectations and are now only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. Reflecting on this improbable success, it's noted, "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League."
Milwaukee Brewers' Resilience
The Milwaukee Brewers, who have not trailed in the NL Central since April 29, are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. Despite several significant setbacks—including the departures of manager Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs, pitcher Corbin Burnes to the Orioles, and injuries sidelining Brandon Woodruff, Devin Williams, and Christian Yelich—the Brewers have shown remarkable resilience.
One noteworthy observation about their persistence comes as, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season."
Award Speculations
As the awards season approaches, the author makes a point to emphasize the speculative nature of the predictions, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win. I'm an actual voter and any prediction might be perceived as a hint as to which way I'm leaning. I will say, though, it's close enough that I do not yet know for sure how I'm voting."
With such a closely contested field of candidates, this year's voting promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. As the regular season concludes and the playoffs loom, the drama and excitement are just beginning to unfold.