MLB Final Awards: Handing out our hardware
Eleven of theScore's editors voted for their picks for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year, ahead of the BBWAA's awards rollout beginning Monday. Ballots include the top five players/managers for each award, with 14 points given for a first-place vote, nine points for a second-place vote, eight points for a third-place vote, and so on.
Judge's transcendent season relegated Witt to runner-up despite a campaign that would have been good enough to win outright in many other years. The Yankees slugger should win his second MVP award after hitting 58 home runs and posting a higher wRC+ (218) than his 62-homer 2022 campaign.
Ohtani did more than enough to convince any detractors who don't love the idea of giving the MVP to a full-time DH. The Dodgers star became the first member of the 50-50 club and looks like a shoo-in to join Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVP in both leagues. Meanwhile, Lindor was the catalyst for the Mets' turnaround.
Skubal won the AL Triple Crown after leading in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. Ragans and Lugo spearheaded a shocking turnaround in Kansas City en route to a postseason berth. Clase authored one of the best regular seasons by a closer and set the Guardians' record for career saves.
Sale had a renaissance season after coming to Atlanta from Boston in a trade. The veteran left-hander's been knocking on the door for an elusive Cy Young for years and finally looks poised to win it. Wheeler finished runner-up in 2021 and will likely come up just shy again. Skenes deserves a mention for his brilliant debut campaign; it seems only a matter of time before he wins what could be multiple Cy Youngs in what's shaping up to be a sensational career.
Cowser led all AL rookies in home runs and fWAR, and provided strong defense in the outfield for the Orioles. Gil tailed off after a hot start, but his strong overall body of work will position him nicely in an open race for the award.
It would be easier if there were separate NL rookie awards for top pitcher and position player, considering how tight the competition between Skenes and Merrill was. Skenes posted a minuscule 1.96 ERA, 4.3 fWAR, and 11.5 K/9 in 133 spectacular innings. Merrill had the edge in fWAR (5.3), and combined excellent defense with power (24 home runs) and speed (16 stolen bases). There's isn't a wrong answer, but Skenes' sheer dominance from the moment he stepped on a major-league mound earned him the nod in our vote.
Stephen Vogt had the impossible job of replacing Terry Francona in Cleveland and the rookie manager guided the Guardians to a 92-win season (a 16-win turnaround from 2023) and an AL Central title. A.J. Hinch helped the Tigers to their first winning season in eight years and first postseason appearance since 2014. This was the closest vote of our major awards.
Pat Murphy was tasked with leading Milwaukee after Craig Counsell's surprise departure to the Cubs and the Corbin Burnes trade to Baltimore, and all the Brewers did was win 93 games and the NL Central. Mike Shildt and Carlos Mendoza were finalists in their first year with their respective clubs.