The baseball season is approaching its climax, and as usual, the race for major awards is heating up. With votes needing to be cast before the playoffs begin, speculation is rife about who will take home the prestigious honors. This year, the discussions are as thrilling as ever, driven by extraordinary individual performances and unexpected team achievements that have kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Aaron Judge's Historic Season
Aaron Judge has undoubtedly captured the attention of the baseball world with a stellar campaign that includes leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. His statistics are nothing short of remarkable: a .324/.460/.703 slash line (224 OPS+), with 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and a staggering 10.6 WAR. In addition, Judge has been flawless on the base paths, achieving 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts, and has showcased versatility by playing out of position in center field for most of the season. His MVP candidacy seems almost inevitable, barring a massive shift in the final days of voting.
Shohei Ohtani’s Unmatched Dual Threat
Not far behind Judge is Shohei Ohtani, who has compiled an impressive .303/.386/.642 line (187 OPS+), with 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR. Ohtani’s achievement of hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases in a single season further cements his status as one of the most dynamic players the game has ever seen. His all-around excellence on both sides of the ball makes him a perennial MVP candidate, and this season is no exception.
Pitchers' Dominance
The battle for the Cy Young Award is equally competitive. Tarik Skubal has combined an 18-4 record with a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings. His leadership in wins, ERA, and strikeouts places him at the forefront of the Cy Young race. Chris Sale, with his 18-3 record, 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings, is another strong contender, despite not receiving a Cy Young vote since 2018. Sale has consistently been among the top pitchers in the voting throughout his career, finishing as high as second and as low as sixth in past years.
Zack Wheeler’s season also deserves mention. Wheeler has posted a 16-7 record, 2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, making it a tough call for voters when deciding on the best pitcher in the league this year.
Surprising Team Performances
A captivating storyline this season has been the unexpected success of the Cleveland Guardians and the resilience of the Milwaukee Brewers. Initially projected to finish around .500 with a gambling win total set at 79 and positioned in third place in the AL Central, the Guardians have defied the odds. Despite losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and underperformances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, the Guardians find themselves only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League.
For the Milwaukee Brewers, the situation has been equally stunning. The Brewers have not trailed in the NL Central since April 29 and are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. This dominance has come despite a series of setbacks. They lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season and saw Corbin Burnes traded to the Orioles in spring training. Closer Devin Williams and star player Christian Yelich were also sidelined by injuries. Yet, new manager Murphy, promoted from within, has guided the team brilliantly through these challenges.
Final Thoughts from an MVP Voter
The decisions surrounding the awards are never easy. As one voter put it, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." The voter also emphasized the speculative nature of awards season: "I'm an actual voter, and any prediction might be perceived as a hint as to which way I'm leaning. I will say, though, it's close enough that I do not yet know for sure how I'm voting."
The intensity and excitement surrounding this season’s major awards offer a fitting conclusion to a baseball year filled with unexpected narratives and exceptional performances. Whether it's the eye-popping stats of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, or the improbable rise of the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers, the 2023 baseball season has provided a rich tapestry of memorable moments and achievements.