The Major League Baseball season is winding down, and as the playoff picture becomes clearer, so too does the race for the sport's most prestigious individual awards. Votes for these accolades must be cast before the postseason commences, with winners to be announced following the conclusion of the World Series.
Aaron Judge's Stellar Season
Aaron Judge's performance this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Leading the majors in multiple key metrics — home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR) — Judge's dominance is undeniable. His statistics underscore his formidable presence at the plate: a .324 batting average, .460 on-base percentage, .703 slugging percentage (224 OPS+), 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and a staggering 10.6 WAR.
Notably, Judge has also succeeded in every stolen base attempt, going 10-for-10 on the base paths. Despite the rigors of an entire season, Judge has admirably handled an out-of-position assignment, spending most of the year patrolling center field.
Shohei Ohtani's Historic Feats
Shohei Ohtani, with his dual-threat capability, has etched his name in the annals of MLB history yet again. This season, he achieved the rare combination of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. His season statistics are impressive: a .303 batting average, .386 on-base percentage, .642 slugging percentage (187 OPS+), 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and an 8.6 WAR.
Pitching Performances to Watch
On the mound, several pitchers have made strong cases for the Cy Young Award. Tarik Skubal's season stands out with an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts over 192 innings. He leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. As one 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 made a compelling case, despite not receiving a Cy Young vote since 2018. He has an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Sale has historically been a bridesmaid in Cy Young voting, having finished second, third, fourth (twice), fifth (twice), and sixth in previous years.
Zack Wheeler has delivered a strong season as well, with a 16-7 record, a 2.56 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, underscoring the depth of elite pitching performances this year.
Unexpected Contenders
The Cleveland Guardians have defied all expectations this season. Initially projected to finish around .500, with a gambling win total set at 79, and initially positioned in third place in the AL Central, the Guardians have surged to competition. Despite losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and underperformance by Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, they find themselves only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. As one observer put it, "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League," capturing the improbable nature of their success.
Milwaukee Brewers' Resilience
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers have not trailed in the NL Central since April 29 and appear set to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. Their season has been marked by overcoming significant challenges. Craig Counsell's departure for the Chicago Cubs last winter, Brandon Woodruff being lost for the 2024 season, Corbin Burnes' trade to the Orioles in spring training, and the injuries to Devin Williams and Christian Yelich would have derailed many teams.
However, the Brewers' resilience shines through. As an insider noted, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season." Indeed, the team has withstood these adversities remarkably.
The Uncertainty of Awards Season
As the regular season comes to a close and awards season looms, the anticipation builds. It's worth noting, as the author candidly pointed out, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." With the competition for awards so fierce this year, the outcomes remain unpredictable. Even for an actual voter, the decision is not clear cut: "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."
In a season filled with extraordinary performances and unexpected triumphs, the race to the finish and the subsequent awards announcements promise to be as thrilling as any playoff game.