BBRT’s 2019 Preview Week continues with our final Day (Day Seven) and predictions for the major MLB awards. Keep in mind, these are just BBRT’s opinions and conjecture – not the result of any inside insight or info. If you are interested in the standing prediction and a look into each teams lineup, rotation and bullpen, see the links below.
For the NL East Preview, click here.
For the NL Central, click here.
For the NL West, click here.
For the AL East, click here.
For the AL Central, click here.
For the AL West, click here.
Now, for those award predictions.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals
Photo by Keith Allison 
Goldschmidt – an All Star in each of the last six seasons – is pretty much a lock for a .290-30-100 season (and could do even better). His bat (a four-time Silver Slugger) changes the whole Cardinal lineup and his glove (a four-time Gold Glover) bolsters the Redbird defense. An extra bonus, Goldschmidt –unlike many corner infielders – can steal you a base (a high of 32 steals in 2016). He leads the Cardinals back to the post-season and wins the MVP Award.
2. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies
Like Goldschmidt, Arenado brings lumber and leather to the ballpark. In six seasons, the four -time All Star has three home run titles, two RBI titles, four Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Gloves at the hot corner. If the Rockies make a run at the Dodgers, Arenado will be in the middle of the action – and the MVP voting.
3. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Nationals
Some needs to step up with Bryce Harper gone – a .300-30-100 season from Rendon wouldn’t surprise.
CY YOUNG AWARD – Max Scherzer, Nationals
Photo by apardavila
Hard to pick against a guy who has led his league in wins in four of the last six seasons, in strikeouts the last three seasons and has been an All Star every season since 2013. Scherzer was 18-7, 2.53 with 300 whiffs in 2018. He should be in that neighborhood again.
- Aaron Nola, Phillies
Nola came into his own in 2018 – going 17-6, 2.37, notching 224 strikeouts in 212 1/3 innings and finishing third in the Cy Young voting. In 2019, he’ll be pitching for a much-improved Phillies’ squad. If they are in the hunt, Nola will be a big part of it.
- Noah Syndergaard, Mets
Syndergaard was 13-4, 3.03 in 2018 – a season in which he missed considerable time with a finger injury and “Hand, foot and Mouth Disease.” I think the 26-year-old is ready to break out in 2019. And, how can you pass on a guy who can come down with an old school ailment like HF&M Disease.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Peter Alonso, 1B, Mets
The Mets’ top prospect – 24-year-old Peter Alonso – at 6’3” and 245 pounds – is a big man in the batter’s box. He proved it in 2018, going .285-36-119 in 132 games at Double A and Triple – and then adding six home runs and 27 RBI in 27 Arizona Fall League games. He’s ready.
- Victor Robles, OF, Nationals
The 22-year-old Robles had a taste of the big leagues in 2017 and 2018, going .277-3-10 in 34 games. At 22, he already has five minor league seasons under his belt (.300-28-155, with 129 steals in 385 games). If you’ve been watching the news, there is a spot open in the Nationals’ outfield.
______________________________________________
AMERICAN LEAGUE
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox
Photo by Keith Allison
Tough to pick a repeat, but Betts is just 26-years-old and does it all. In five seasons, he is a three-time All Star, a three-time Gold Glover, a two-time Silver Slugger and (of course) the 2018 AL batting champion and Most Valuable Player. Last season, he went .346-32- 80, with thirty steals. I could see another 30-30 season and a repeat MVP Award.
- Mike Trout, OF, Angels
How can you not put Mike Trout on this list? In seven full MLB seasons, he has been the AL MVP twice, finished second four times and fourth once. Odds are he finishes somewhere in the top three. He’s also a seven-time All Star, has led his league in runs three times, RBI once and stolen bases once. He carries a .307 career average, with 240 homers and 189 steals into the 2019 season. He’ll be in the running again. (If only he had a better supporting case in Los Angeles).
- Justin Verlander, SP, Astros
The Astros lost three-fifth of their 2018 dominant starting rotation to free agency or Tommy John surgery. Justin Verlander will be critical to their ability to weather that storm. I think the seven-time All Star has an outside chance to repeat his 2011 accomplishment of winning the Cy Young Award and the MVP Award in the same season. In 2018, he was 16-9, 2.52, with 290 strikeouts in 214 innings.
CY YOUNG AWARD – Justin Verlander
Photo by Keith Allison
See the description in the MVP predictions.
- Chris Sale, Red Sox
After winning 17 games in 2016 and 2017, Sale missed more than a month of 2018 (shoulder issues) and still went 12-4, 2.11 with 237 whiffs in 158 innings. A healthy Sales should be right near, if not at, the top of the CYA balloting.
3. Trevor Bauer, Indians
I could easily have put Corey Kluber or Carlos Carrasco in this spot, but I just think it’s Bauer’s year to shine in Cleveland. Last season, he went 12-6, 2.21 with 221 strikeouts in 175 1/3 innings.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., 3B, Blue Jays
Okay, I’ll ump on the bandwagon and put Vlad Jr, at the top of this list. Let’s face it, the 20-year-old with great baseball genes has got nothing left to prove in the minors. In three minor-league seasons, Guerrero is .331-41-200 in 276 games – including .336-6-16 in 30 games at Triple A last season. And, of course, the Blue Jays need help.
- Elroy Jimenez, OF, White Sox
As the White Sox work to build for the future, Elroy Jimenez looks like a pretty good bet to get ample time with the big club. The 22-year-old is .311-65-281 in five minor league seasons and, in 2018, went .355-12-33 in 55 games at Triple A.
- Yusei Kikuchi, SP, Mariners
An unusual rookie, Kikuchi is a 28-year-old southpaw with considerable experience in Japan, where he went 14-4, 3.08 in 2018. His last three seasons in Japan saw him go 12-7, 2.58; 16-6, 1.97; and 14-4, 3.08. Kikuchi is said to have a mid-90’s fastball, as well as a workable slider curve and change. He could make a splash in the Mariners’ rotation.
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST
Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 1oo Baseball Blogs. To see the full list, click here.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
