The regular season of baseball is winding down, and with it, the anticipation for major league awards is reaching its peak. Votes for these coveted honors must be cast before the playoffs begin, with winners set to be announced after the World Series. This year's competition is tighter than ever, with standout performances across the board.
Aaron Judge's Dominance
Aaron Judge has been a powerhouse, leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. His statistics are nothing short of extraordinary: a .324 batting average, .460 on-base percentage, and a .703 slugging percentage (224 OPS+). With 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and an impressive 10.6 WAR, Judge has cemented his place as one of baseball's elite players. Furthermore, his versatility has been on display, playing out of position in center field for most of the season and excelling there as well. Not to be overlooked, Judge's 10-for-10 success rate in stolen bases adds to his all-around capability.
Shohei Ohtani's Historic Season
Shohei Ohtani continues to be a marvel in the baseball world. This season, he achieved the incredible feat of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. His numbers reflect a stellar season: .303/.386/.642 (187 OPS+), 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR. Ohtani’s dual-threat capability as both a pitcher and a hitter makes him one of the most unique talents in the history of the sport.
Pitching Excellence
On the mound, Tarik Skubal has been a force to be reckoned with. He boasts an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings. Leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, Skubal has made a compelling case for the Cy Young Award. Reflecting on his performance, an observer noted, "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 has also been outstanding, with an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Despite finishing in the top six of Cy Young voting seven times in the past, Sale hasn't received a vote since 2018, adding a layer of intrigue to this year’s voting process.
Zack Wheeler has similarly had an excellent season, with a 16-7 record, a 2.56 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings. The tight competition among these pitching aces highlights the depth of talent in the league this year.
The Cleveland Guardians' Surprising Success
The Cleveland Guardians have defied expectations this season. Initially projected to finish around .500, with a gambling win total set at 79 and positioned in third place in the AL Central, they've outperformed all predictions. Despite losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury early on, and underperformances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. As one commentator remarked, "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League."
The Resilient Milwaukee Brewers
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have not trailed in the NL Central since April 29. They are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team, showcasing their dominance. Overcoming significant adversity, they’ve coped with the departure of Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs, the season-ending injury to Brandon Woodruff, the spring training trade of Corbin Burnes to the Orioles, and injuries to key players Devin Williams and Christian Yelich. Emphasizing the resilience of the team, it was noted, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season."
Speculations and Voting
As awards season approaches, the predictions and speculations are rampant. An individual with a vote cautioned, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." He added, "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 so many remarkable performances shaping this season, the race for the major awards is set against the backdrop of extraordinary achievements and narrative arcs. As the playoffs loom, the focus now shifts to celebrating and recognizing the very best in baseball, casting votes that will ultimately honor players’ outstanding contributions.