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<p><em>Okay, we admit we're a bit late. The baseball season kicked off a couple of weeks ago. But we were occupied with March Madness. Now that April is here, let's dive into the MLB award races. Which players will stand out this season?</em></p>
<p><em>Check back in the fall to see our predictions. We'll provide baseball coverage throughout the season in this newsletter and on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/sports"><em>NBC News</em></a><em> website.</em></p>
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<h2>MVP</h2>
<p><strong>By Andrew Greif, NBC News sports reporter</strong></p>
<p>As always, <strong>Aaron Judge</strong> and <strong>Shohei Ohtani</strong> seem to dominate the MVP discussions. Last season, <strong>Cal Raleigh</strong>'s emergence brought a refreshing change. Will we see new contenders this year?</p>
<p><strong>American League:</strong> Following a stellar postseason, <strong>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</strong> aims to rebound after a downturn in his regular season stats. He’s expected to build on this momentum and could challenge Judge, who has won the award three times in the last four years.</p>
<p><strong>National League:</strong> For <strong>Ohtani</strong> to secure a third consecutive NL MVP award, he must overcome voter fatigue and his own lofty expectations. Despite these challenges, his dual-threat status as both a hitter and pitcher positions him well for success.</p>
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<h2>Cy Young</h2>
<p><strong>By Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News sports reporter</strong></p>
<p>It's early in the MLB season, with some pitchers excelling while others face struggles. Will we see surprising Cy Young candidates this year?</p>
<p><strong>American League:</strong> While <strong>Tarik Skubal</strong> is heavily favored, I predict <strong>Max Fried</strong> of the Yankees could stand out with impressive early performances.</p>
<p><strong>National League:</strong> <strong>Sandy Alcantara</strong>, coming back strong from surgery, is likely to reclaim his dominance. Already showing impressive stats, he’s motivated to rebound after last season.</p>
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<h2>Rookie of the Year</h2>
<p><strong>By Tim Rohan, NBC News sports editor and reporter</strong></p>
<p>Rookies often make an immediate impact in their first seasons. Who will follow last year’s standout <strong>Nick Kurtz</strong> this time?</p>
<p><strong>American League:</strong> <strong>Chase DeLauter</strong> has started strong, hitting five homers in his first seven games. His rookie debut during last season's postseason may give him the edge he needs.</p>
<p><strong>National League:</strong> While <strong>Konnor Griffin</strong> shows promise, I’m leaning towards <strong>Nolan McLean</strong> from the Mets, whose diverse pitching repertoire could make him a standout by season's end.</p>
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<h2>Feedback</h2>
<p><strong>The Sports Desk</strong> newsletter is back, and we want your thoughts. How are we doing? What do you enjoy about the newsletter? Share your feedback at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/baseball/mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.</p>
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