Here are Jacoby Nolnaho’s predictions for the main BBWAA awards for the 2018 season:
MVP
National League- Christian Yelich
American League- Mike Trout
Cy Young
National League- Jacob deGrom
American League- Blake Snell
Rookie of the Year
National League- Ronald Acuna Jr.
American League- Miguel Andujar
Manager of the Year
National League- Craig Counsell
American League- Alex Cora
In a very crowded list of National League MVP candidates with players such as Nolan Arenado and JD Martinez being omitted, the final possible MVP candidate race is very tight. Marlins’ right fielder Giancarlo Stanton fell just one home run shy of the immortal 60 home run club, also picking up a league leading 132 RBIs along the way. Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon lead MLB in runs (137), hits (213), and triples (14) to go along with 37 home runs and 104 RBIs. Joey Votto completed the rare feat of playing every game of the 162 game season, collecting 147 walks and posting an insane .454 on base percentage. Paul Goldschmidt put up yet another consistently great season posting 36 home runs, 120 RBIs, 117 runs, and swiping 18 bags. The two main contenders are Joey Votto and Charlie Blackmon. Despite Blackmon leading the league in traditional categories, Votto’s dependability and outrageous ability to get on base makes him a lethal weapon for the Cincinatti Reds. Overall, Charlie Blackmon looks like the MVP front runner as his stats are a can’t miss with most traditional baseball fans.
| Stats | Giancarlo Stanton | Paul Goldschmidt | Joey Votto | Charlie Blackmon |
| Games | 159 | 155 | 162 | 159 |
| At Bats | 597 | 558 | 559 | 644 |
| Hits | 168 | 166 | 179 | 213 |
| Doubles | 32 | 34 | 34 | 35 |
| Triples | 0 | 3 | 1 | 14 |
| Home Runs | 59 | 36 | 36 | 37 |
| RBIs | 132 | 120 | 100 | 104 |
| Runs | 123 | 117 | 106 | 137 |
| Stolen Bases | 2 | 18 | 5 | 14 |
| Walks | 85 | 94 | 134 | 65 |
| Strikeouts | 163 | 147 | 83 | 135 |
| Batting Average | .281 | .297 | .320 | .331 |
| OBP | .376 | .404 | .454 | .399 |
| Slugging | .631 | .563 | .578 | .601 |
| OPS | 1.007 | .967 | 1.032 | 1.000 |
| WAR | 8.8 | 6.9 | 9.6 | 6.3 |
| All Star | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
As the 2017 regular season came to an end, the American League MVP race has really tightened up. Mike Trout, who was down 48 games with a thumb injury, was still able to put up unbelievable numbers in a short amount of time. Jose Altuve once again impressed us with yet another 200 hit season and 30 stolen base season. Among the surprises include Aaron Judge who broke the rookie record for home runs and walks, and Jose Ramirez, Cleveland’s super utility man. Trout supplied the best percentage numbers by leading the AL in OPS, OBP, and slugging. He was also among Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo as the only men in baseball with more walks than strikeouts (min. 100 games). Despite his final stats, Aaron Judge had a mid season streak that lasted 45 games with a sub .200 batting average and only 7 home runs. This greatly impacted his overall average which went from .329 at the All Star break to .284 at the end of the season. Jose Ramirez’s versatility makes him a valuable asset to the Indians, but his 29 home runs and league leading 56 doubles were only a bonus. His OBP and OPS were down compared to the others. Jose Altuve looks like the best bet for MVP as his hits, stolen bases, and consistency were on point for the entire length of the regular season.
Stats: ESPN and MLB.com
| Stats | Mike Trout | Aaron Judge | Jose Altuve | Jose Ramirez |
| Games | 114 | 155 | 153 | 152 |
| At Bats | 402 | 542 | 590 | 585 |
| Hits | 123 | 154 | 204 | 186 |
| Doubles | 25 | 24 | 39 | 56 |
| Triples | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Home Runs | 33 | 52 | 24 | 29 |
| RBIs | 72 | 114 | 81 | 83 |
| Runs | 92 | 128 | 112 | 107 |
| Stolen Bases | 22 | 9 | 32 | 17 |
| OBP | .442 | .422 | .410 | 0.374 |
| OPS | 1.071 | 1.049 | .957 | .957 |
| Slugging | .629 | .627 | .547 | .583 |
| WAR | 6.4 | 8.8 | 7.9 | 6.3 |
| Strikeouts | 90 | 208 | 84 | 69 |
| Walks | 94 | 127 | 58 | 52 |
| All Star | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mike Trout had yet another phenomenal season. He won a Silver Slugger, was voted Best Major League Player in the MLB Awards, and won his second MVP in his career. He brought back stolen bases to his game and it payed off. His swiped bags helped him collect 123 runs, enough to lead the American League. He also lead the league in wins above replacement with 10.6 and walks with 116. He also was a solid fixture in the lineup playing 159 out of the 162 games of the regular season. He hit 29 home runs, drove in 100 RBIs for the second time in his career, collect 32 doubles, and steal 30 bases. Critics were talking about Trout’s decrease in stolen bases. In 2014, he stole 16 bases from 33 and in 2015 he only swiped 11. If it weren’t for his stolen bases, he might not have won the MVP. Overall, Mike Trout had a freakishly good season and we can expect many more to come.
The 2016 MVP winners were announced. Kris Bryant of the Cubs won the award in his second season. Mike Trout of the Angels won the award for the second time in his career. They both have more to come.
The MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award is an award given to the best player. The winner is usually a position player although pitchers can win the award. It is given at the end of the postseason. One player in each league wins it. The BBWAA votes on the winner. Barry Bonds has won the most MVP awards.
| Player/Stats | Nolan Arenado | Kris Bryant | Daniel Murphy |
| Team | Rockies | Cubs | Nationals |
| Games | 160 | 155 | 142 |
| Batting Average | .294 | .292 | .347 |
| Hits | 182 | 176 | 184 |
| Doubles | 35 | 35 | 47 |
| Triples | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| Home runs | 41 | 39 | 25 |
| RBIs | 133 | 102 | 104 |
| Runs | 116 | 121 | 88 |
| Stolen Bases | 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Walks | 68 | 75 | 35 |
| Strikeouts | 103 | 154 | 57 |
| OBP | .362 | .385 | .390 |
| Slugging Percentage | .570 | .554 | .595 |
| OPS+ | .932 | .939 | .985 |
| WAR | 6.5 | 7.7 | 4.6 |
2016 saw three stars have fantastic seasons; Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado, and Daniel Murphy. Murphy was batting over .350 for most of the season while Nolan Arenado quietly piled up 133 RBIs for the Colorado Rockies. Bryant helped the Cubs earn their 103 wins to clinch a playoff spot with two weeks left on the season. Bryant played his part by leading the National League in runs with 121. Bryant and Murphy put up career highs in home runs and doubles. Arenado played Gold Glove defense only committing 13 errors the entire season. All three of these players are suited for the NL MVP Award.