As the 2024 MLB season draws to a close, the baseball world eagerly awaits the announcement of the prestigious end-of-season awards. From the fiercely contested MVP races to the dominant performances in the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year categories, this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Join us as we dive into the top contenders and predict who will take home the hardware in this star-studded year.
American League MVP: A Titanic Clash of Titans
The American League MVP race has been a thrilling battle between three exceptional players: Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., and Juan Soto. Judge, the Yankees’ slugging superstar, put together a historic campaign, leading the league in home runs, RBIs, and batting average. His consistency and clutch performances make him the frontrunner for the award.
However, Witt Jr.’s five-tool mastery and Soto’s offensive dominance cannot be overlooked. Witt Jr. showcased his speed, power, and defensive prowess, while Soto’s on-base skills and timely hitting were crucial to the Yankees’ success. In the end, we predict Judge will edge out his teammates to claim his first MVP trophy.
National League MVP: Ohtani’s Two-Way Brilliance
In the National League, Shohei Ohtani‘s unparalleled performance as both a pitcher and a hitter makes him the clear favorite for MVP. His offensive numbers—54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases—are MVP-worthy on their own. When combined with his pitching dominance, Ohtani’s season is one for the ages.
“Ohtani’s 2024 season was a display of pure baseball brilliance. He redefined what we thought was possible on the diamond.”
– A high-ranking MLB official
Francisco Lindor and Ketel Marte had remarkable seasons in their own right, but Ohtani’s unprecedented excellence makes him the unanimous choice for NL MVP.
American League Cy Young: Skubal’s Breakout
The AL Cy Young race features three outstanding pitchers: Tarik Skubal, Seth Lugo, and Emmanuel Clase. Skubal’s breakout season, in which he led the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA, positions him as the favorite. Lugo’s consistent excellence and Clase’s historic dominance as a reliever make them worthy contenders, but Skubal’s overall impact gives him the edge.
National League Cy Young: A Trio of Aces
The NL Cy Young race is a close contest between three elite starters: Chris Sale, Paul Skenes, and Zack Wheeler. Sale’s remarkable comeback season, capped off by a pitching triple crown, makes him the slight favorite. Skenes’ rookie brilliance and Wheeler’s continued excellence make this a tight race, but we predict Sale will earn his long-awaited first Cy Young.
Rookie of the Year: Bright Young Stars
The Rookie of the Year races showcase the incredible talent of the game’s rising stars. In the American League, Luis Gil‘s impact on the Yankees’ rotation gives him the edge over Colton Cowser and Austin Wells. In the National League, Paul Skenes‘ historic season makes him the favorite, despite strong performances from Jackson Chourio and Jackson Merrill.
Manager of the Year: Guiding Teams to Success
The Manager of the Year awards recognize the skippers who guided their teams to unexpected success. In the American League, Matt Quatraro‘s leadership in transforming the Royals from a 106-loss team to a playoff contender makes him the frontrunner. In the National League, Pat Murphy‘s steady hand in navigating the Brewers through adversity and to another division title earns him the nod.
As the 2024 MLB awards are announced, fans will celebrate the incredible achievements of these players and managers. Their performances have etched their names into baseball history and set the stage for an exciting future in the sport we love.