The regular season is winding down, and we're nearing the time when major league baseball enthusiasts await the announcement of the coveted annual awards. As is tradition, votes for these awards must be cast before the playoffs begin, with the winners revealed following the conclusion of the World Series. This year, debates are as intense as ever over who deserves the sport's highest honors.
Aaron Judge's Stellar Season
Leading the charge with a season for the ages is Aaron Judge. He is having a statistical explosion, leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. His jaw-dropping numbers: a .324 batting average, .460 on-base percentage, .703 slugging (224 OPS+), alongside 57 home runs, 142 RBI, and a 10.6 WAR.
Remarkably, Judge hasn't just showcased his prowess at the plate. On the base paths, he's been perfect with ten stolen bases in ten attempts. Furthermore, his versatility has been on display as he has admirably played out of position in center field for much of the season. Such an all-around performance has inevitably placed him as a frontrunner in the MVP race.
Shohei Ohtani's Dual Threat
But Judge is not without competition. Shohei Ohtani, the two-way Japanese sensation, continues to redefine what's possible on a baseball field. Ohtani made history by amassing 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. His offensive statistics read like a video game: .303/.386/.642 (187 OPS+), with 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, and 130 runs scored, contributing to an impressive 8.6 WAR.
Pitching Dominance
On the pitching side, Tarik Skubal has emerged as a dominant force. With an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings, Skubal leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. His performance has been so compelling that some argue he might even contend for the MVP.
As one analyst commented, "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."
Then there's Chris Sale, returning to form with an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Sale hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018, despite his numerous near-misses, including finishing second, third, fourth (twice), fifth (twice), and sixth in past Cy Young voting. This year, however, Sale appears poised to be back in the mix. Add to the mix Zack Wheeler, who has also had a stellar year with a 16-7 record, a 2.56 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, and this year's Cy Young race looks to be an exciting one.
Guardians’ Surprising Rise
Surprises have also come from the team level. The Cleveland Guardians were initially projected to finish around .500, with their gambling win total set at 79. They were positioned in third place in the AL Central as the season began. The loss of Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and underwhelming seasons from pitchers Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen seemed to confirm these low expectations.
Yet, here they are, only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. Highlighting their resilience, one observer noted, "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League." This improbable success story continues to captivate the baseball world.
Brewers’ Iron Grip on the NL Central
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have not trailed in the NL Central since April 29 and are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. This is despite facing significant setbacks, including the departure of manager Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs last winter, losing Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season, trading away Corbin Burnes to the Orioles, and season-ending injuries to key players like Devin Williams and Christian Yelich.
Yet, the team has shown remarkable internal resilience. As noted, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season."
Awards Race Speculation
As the regular season wraps up, the baseball community eagerly speculates on award outcomes. One seasoned voter cautioned, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." While maintaining a degree of suspense, the voter 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."
As excitement builds and debates rage, one thing is clear: this season has provided baseball fans with a bounty of extraordinary performances and unforgettable moments. As these narratives unfold, the announcement of the award winners will serve as the crowning achievement to a remarkable season.