American League Rookie of the Year — Colton Cowser
Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
The Orioles appear to be on the verge of having a second consecutive American League Rookie of the Year winner. Following in Gunnar Henderson’s footsteps is Colton Cowser. The rookie struggled in a brief stint in 2023 — hitting .115 across 61 at-bats — but has been a key player for Baltimore this season. Through August 13, Cowser is hitting .246 with 18 homers, 17 doubles and 55 RBI. New York’s Luis Gil may be the biggest threat to beat Cowser for the award. Through 23 starts, Gil has a 12-6 record with a 3.25 ERA.
National League Rookie of the Year — Paul Skenes
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
This is one of the toughest races to call. The National League has a handful of strong candidates to win Rookie of the Year, but Paul Skenes and Jackson Merrill lead the pack. Merrill may be the most deserving candidate at the moment. San Diego’s All-Star centerfielder has come through at the plate and in the field — and his work in center is particularly impressive considering he is new to the position. Merrill is batting .286 with 17 HR and 13 SB. Unfortunately for him, it feels like Skenes is destined to win RoY. In addition to having a strong narrative behind him, the 2023 No. 1 pick has been stellar on the mound. The flamethrower is 6-2 with a 2.25 ERA through 15 starts and has struck out 115 batters in 92.0 IP.
American League Manager of the Year — Matt Quatraro
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Manager of the Year is an award that typically favors overachievers. Kansas City finished last in the AL Central last season with just 56 wins. Through August 13, the Royals are 65-55 and occupy the third Wild Card spot. Quatraro would be a lock to win the award if his team wins the division — the Royals are 6.0 GB of Cleveland — but he should claim the award even if Kansas City stays in the playoff hunt through September. Cleveland’s first-year manager Stephen Vogt is also a leading candidate.
National League Manager of the Year — Pat Murphy
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Pat Murphy winning the National League Manager of the Year is a lock. Many experts believed the Brewers were due for an average year following the departure of manager Craig Counsell and ace Corbin Burnes. Instead, Murphy’s team has been atop the NL Central for a majority of the season and currently holds a 7.5-game advantage over St. Louis — the largest division lead in baseball.
American League Cy Young — Tarik Skubal
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apologies to Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes, but the American League Cy Young Award is Tarik Skubal’s to lose. The center of many discussions at the trade deadline, Skubal has been sensational for Detroit throughout the season. The star lefty is gunning for a Triple Crown and is currently leading the AL in all three categories needed to secure the elusive honor. Skubal holds a 14-4 record with a 2.53 ERA — both marks lead MLB — and has 180 strikeouts in 149.1 IP.
National League Cy Young — Chris Sale
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Nobody saw this coming. Before the season, an Atlanta pitcher was the favorite to win the National League Cy Young. That man, Spencer Strider, made just two starts before undergoing season-ending surgery. Meanwhile, Chris Sale has rediscovered his elite ability following five tough seasons — whether due to injury or performance. In his first year with the Braves, Sale has looked like the ace who finished in the top-6 of Cy Young voting seven years in a row earlier in his career. The lefty leads the NL with 13 wins and a 2.61 ERA and has fanned 177 batters in 134.2 IP.
American League MVP — Aaron Judge
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The only thing that will prevent Aaron Judge from winning his second MVP is a prolonged stint on the IL. Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. has been incredible, but Judge has been even better than he was during his MVP season in 2022 — the year he hit 62 HR. Witt is an elite defender at shortstop and he is currently leading MLB with a .347 BA, 101 runs and 166 hits. Additionally, KC’s star has hit 23 HR to go along with 25 SB. Meanwhile, Judge is slashing .332/.466/.699 with 42 HR and 107 RBI. Judge is leading baseball in HR, RBI, OBP, SLG and OPS.
National League MVP — Shohei Ohtani
Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The National League MVP race looks like it is a two-man race between Shohei Ohtani and Arizona’s Ketel Marte. Marte has been the driving force behind Arizona’s resurgence as the Diamondbacks have started to resemble the team that won the NL Pennant last year. The star second baseman leads the team in BA (.298), HR (30), RBI (81), and OBP (.369). Meanwhile, Ohtani is looking to become the first DH to win MVP. The league’s best player, like Marte, is battling for the Triple Crown. Ohtani currently leads the NL with 37 HR and 90 runs and also paces the league in SLG and OPS. With 33 stolen bases, Ohtani appears primed to join the 40/40 club and may even take a run at 50/50.
