It’s that time of year again – post-season baseball is behind us; a bleak double-play barren winter ahead. Still, there is plenty of time for “Hot Stove League” speculation and (for the next few days) “Awards Season” – headlined by the Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Cy Young and Manager of the Year Recognitions. There are also the heavy metal honors – Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves. As usual, Baseball Roundtable will preview and predict the major awards.
A few days ago, this page featured BBRT’s picks for Rookie(s) of the Year, as well as a 2018 All-Rookie Team and an All-Time Rookie Squad. You can read that post by clicking here. In this post, I’ll share BBRT’s views on each league’s likely Most Valuable Player; Cy Young; and Manager of the Year candidates.
Now, in recent season, there has been potential debate on many of these awards. This year, however, BBRT see only one of the four player recognitions as a likely source of debate. That’s the NL Cy Young Award – and, so, that’s where we’ll start this post.
—–CY YOUNG AWARD—–
National League – Max Scherzer Nationals … 18-7, 2.53, 300 strikeouts in 220 2/3 innings.
Photo by apardavila 
There might be some dispute here, as there has been plenty of support voiced for the Mets’ Jacob deGrom – based on his MLB-low 1.70 earned run average and 269 strikeouts in 217 innings. Supporters argue, with good reason, that his 10-9 won-lost record does not reflect his effectiveness on the mound.
From BBRT’s perspective, however, there is more than enough reason(s) to award the Cy Young to Scherzer. His 18 wins tied for the AL lead; his 300 strikeouts led all of MLB; his 220 2/3 innings pitched led the NL (deGrom was second); his 0.91 WHIP tied (with deGrom) for the NL’s best; his two complete games tied for the NL lead (deGrom had one). In addition, Scherzer tied (with deGrom) for the NL lead in quality starts (28); led the NL in strikeouts per nine innings (12.24), with deGrom second (11.16); led in strikeouts-to-walks (5.88), again with deGrom second (5.85). Scherzer’s 2.53 earned run average was third in the league.
In 33 starts, Max Scherzer reached double-digits in strikeouts 18 times.
Other Contenders: Jacob deGrom, Mets (10-9, 1.70, 269 strikeouts in 217 innings) and Aaron Nola, Phillies (17-6, 2.37, 224 strikeouts in 212 1/3 innings).
American League – Blake Snell, Rays … 21-5, 1.89, 221 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings.
Photo by petestokke
A bit of an easier choice for CYA in the AL, as the Rays’ Blake Snell led all of MLB in wins with 21 (just five losses) and led the AL (and was second in MLB) in earned run average at 1.89. His 221 strikeouts were sixth in the league and his 180 2/3 innings pitched were 14th; while his 0.97 WHIP was second only to Justin Verlander (0.90) in the junior circuit.
Blake Snell was particularly after the All Star break, going 9-0, 1.17 – putting up a WHIP of 0.80 and fanning 12.7 batters per nine innings.
Other Contenders: Justin Verlander, Astros (16-9, 2.52, 290 strikeouts in 214 innings) and Corey Kluber, Indians (20-7, 2.89, 222 strikeouts in 215 innings).
—-MOST VALUABLE PLAYER—-
National League – Christian Yelich, OF, Brewers … .326-36-110, 22 steals in 26 attempts.
Photo by DandreaPhotography
The Brewers’ Christian Yelich put up true MVP numbers, winning the NL batting title (.326), finishing third in the league in home runs (36) and second in RBI (110). He also scored 118 runs (second in the league) and swiped 22 bases. In addition, he gave the Brew Crew some outfield/lineup versatility starting 68 games in RF, 63 in LF and 12 in CF.
As the Brewers fought for the NL Central crown, Yelich was at his best. In September, he hit .370, bashed 10 home runs, drove in 34 (n 27 games), scored 24 times and swiped seven bases. The Brewers also were 29-6 in games in which Yelich homered. In a season in which seven NL players topped 30 home runs and 100 RBI, Yelich was the leader of the pack.
Christian Yelich was just two home runs and one RBY shy of a Triple Crown.
Other Contenders: Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies (.297-38-110, with 104 runs scored); Javier Baez, 2B/SS/3B, Cubs (.290-34-111, 21 steals and 101 runs); and Trevor Story, SS, Rockies (.291-37, 108, 27 steals).
American League – Mookie Betts, RF, Red Sox … .346-32-80, with 30 steals in 36 attempts.
Photo by Dennis Heller
Mookie Betts’ AL batting title (.346), 30/30 (32 home runs/30 stolen bases) season, league-leading 129 runs scored (tied with the Indians’ Francisco Lindor) and Gold Glove-worthy defense earns him this spot in BBRT’s view. Notably, his closest competition comes from a teammate, Red Sox’ DH J.D. Martinez, who bashed 43 home runs and led all of MLB with 130 RBI. Betts also led the AL in Slugging Percentage at .640,
Mookie Betts hit .330 or better and scored at least 20 runs in every month but June, when an abdominal strain limited him to 16 games, a .290 average and 12 runs scored. He hit .344 in April; .372 in May; .330 in July; .353 in August; and .377 in September.
Other Contenders: J.D. Martinez, DH, Red Sox (.330-43-130, with 111 runs scored); Khris Davis, DH, A’s (.247-48-123); Mike Trout, CF, Angels (.312-39-79, 24 stolen bases on 101 runs scored).
—–MANAGER OF THE YEAR—–
National League- Craig Counsell, Brewers – 96-67, Central Division title
The Brewers added some solid talent for the 2018 season – like Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and Gio Gonzalez. Manager Craig Counsell effectively mixed those players with established Brewers’ veterans. That effort, coupled with his effective management of his bullpen resources, brought the Central Division crown to a surprising Brewers’ squad and earned Counsell, BBRT’s vote for NL Manager of the Year.
Other Contenders: Bud Black – Rockies (91-72) … Black took the Rockies, picked for a third-place finish by most analysts, all the way to a Game 163 and a NL Wild Card spot. Brian Snitker, Braves (90-72) … Snitker led the surprising, and very young, Braves to a Division title that few expected,
American League – Bob Melvin, A’s – 97-65, AL Wild Card
Bob Melvin started the season with MLB’s lowest player payroll –and ended it with 97 wins and a spot in the post season (Game. Set. Match.) He did it with a young team and a pitching staff in flux. (The A’s used 15 starters and 0nly one A’s starter had more than seven wins.) BBRT would give Counsell its vote.
Other Contenders: Alex Cora, Red Sox (108-54) … Cora led the Red Sox to an MLB-best 108 wins (54 losses). Hard to argue with that kind of success. Kevin Cash, Rays (90-72) … Cash delivered 90 wins in the tough AL East – and pioneered a “bullpen game” pitching strategy that helped the Rays deliver the AL’s second-best earned run average.
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; ESPN.Com, MLB.com.
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