With pitchers and catchers reporting in just a couple weeks, the time is now to look forward to the 2020 MLB season.
After an offseason full of thrill, excitement, and drama, we’ve still got a season to look forward to!
American League:
Most Valuable Player:
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels.
Why?
At this point of his career, it has almost become ‘why not’, as opposed to ‘why’…
It is his award to lose.
With the addition of one of the best players in baseball, Anthony Rendon, Trout will finally have a legitimate bat behind him in the batting order, and will, therefore, see more pitches to hit.
Runner-up:
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Cy Young Award:
Tyler Glasnow, Tampa Bay Rays
Why?
In one of the most puzzling trades in recent memory, the barely competitive Pittsburgh Pirates traded two of their top prospects, Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows to the Tampa Bay Rays for decent starting pitcher, Chris Archer.
Glasnow had an incredible rookie season, as did Meadows.
But I think Glasnow will take it to the next level next season. As part of one of the best ‘Big 3’ in baseball, Glasnow excelled last season and showed great potential before an unfortunate injury made him sit out a while.
Expect great things out of this young man!
Runner-up:
Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
Rookie of the Year:
Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
Why?
The No. 3-ranked prospect in baseball, Roberts is a very ‘toolsy’ player, with the potential to be a 30/30 kind of player on an every year basis. He will be joining a rejuvenated White Sox team which has brought in offensive powerhouses Edwin Encarnacion and Yasmani Grandal, and a team gushing with potential all around the diamond.
Runner-up:
Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers
National League:
Most Valuable Player:
Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
Why?
40/40, that’s why.
In 2019, Acuna was just three stolen bases shy of reaching the exclusive 40/40 club (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season).
The craziest part of this is the fact that Acuna came only in FIFTH in the NL MVP voting due to the ridiculous performances of other players such as Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich.
Arguably one of the best all-around players in the game, Acuna will get his chances at the MVP award over the next couple of seasons, and don’t be surprised if he wins his first in just his third year in the league.
Runner-up:
Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers
Cy Young Award:
Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
Why?
The reigning back-to-back NL Cy Young Award winner has shown no signs of slowing down, and until we see otherwise, there is no reason to doubt him.
It sometimes happens that a player or pitcher will perform great because he is on a winning team with a winning culture, but once that dynamic is no longer there, e.g. the team starts to lose, the player’s performance begins to deteriorate.
That is not the case with Jacob deGrom. In fact, his two best seasons have come during some mediocre (at best) seasons by the Mets. He just keeps chuggin’ along.
Runner-up:
Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers
Rookie of the Year:
Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers
Why?
He has shown us already what he is capable of.
At 21 years old and 314 days old, Lux is the second youngest player in MLB history to hit a home run in the postseason. His numbers in the minor leagues were tremendous, and most believe that they will translate (long term) in the big leagues.
The Dodgers aren’t the only ones who think highly of Lux. His name is constantly floated around as the centerpiece for a trade surrounding perennial All-Stars, Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor, both of whom the Dodgers are trying to acquire.
This kid will be really fun to watch.
Runner-up:
Brendan Rodgers, Colorado Rockies
Playoff Picture:
American League:
East: New York Yankees
Central: Minnesota Twins
West: Houston Astros
Wildcard #1: Cleveland Indians
WIldcard #2: Boston Red Sox
National League:
East: Philadelphia Phillies
Central: Chicago Cubs
West: Los Angeles Dodgers
Wildcard #1: Atlanta Braves
WIldcard #2: Washington Nationals
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