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?
Check back in the fall to see our predictions. We’ll provide baseball coverage throughout the season in this newsletter and on the NBC News website.
MVP
By Andrew Greif, NBC News sports reporter
As always, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani seem to dominate the MVP discussions. Last season, Cal Raleigh‘s emergence brought a refreshing change. Will we see new contenders this year?
American League: Following a stellar postseason, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 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.
National League: For Ohtani 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.
Cy Young
By Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News sports reporter
It’s early in the MLB season, with some pitchers excelling while others face struggles. Will we see surprising Cy Young candidates this year?
American League: While Tarik Skubal is heavily favored, I predict Max Fried of the Yankees could stand out with impressive early performances.
National League: Sandy Alcantara, coming back strong from surgery, is likely to reclaim his dominance. Already showing impressive stats, he’s motivated to rebound after last season.
Rookie of the Year
By Tim Rohan, NBC News sports editor and reporter
Rookies often make an immediate impact in their first seasons. Who will follow last year’s standout Nick Kurtz this time?
American League: Chase DeLauter 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.
National League: While Konnor Griffin shows promise, I’m leaning towards Nolan McLean from the Mets, whose diverse pitching repertoire could make him a standout by season’s end.
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