The regular season is winding down, and the race for major awards is heating up. As the clock ticks towards the playoffs, voters are finalizing their decisions, but winners won't be announced until after the World Series. It's a momentous time for the frontrunners, and a few standout players have made their cases loud and clear.
Aaron Judge: The Undisputed Leader
Aaron Judge has been nothing short of sensational this season, leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. His staggering statistics—.324/.460/.703 (224 OPS+), with 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and 10.6 WAR—underscore his dominance. Judge has also added 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts to his impressive resume and has showcased his versatility by playing out of position in center field for most of the season.
Shohei Ohtani's Incredible Feat
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the only player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani's statistical line reads .303/.386/.642 (187 OPS+), with 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR. This dual-threat superstar continues to redefine what is possible on the baseball field.
Pitching Excellence: Skubal, Sale, and Wheeler
On the mound, Tarik Skubal has emerged as a dominant force. With an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings, Skubal leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. His performance has been so exceptional that one commentator noted, "Kudos to Emmanuel Clase for an absolutely top-shelf relief season, and if Skubal didn't exist this season in the AL, I would have been ready to make the argument for a reliever." Skubal's consistency and excellence have made him a frontrunner for the prestigious Cy Young Award.
Chris Sale, another formidable contender, boasts an 18-3 record, 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Despite his stellar track record, Sale hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018, even though he has finished second, third, fourth (twice), fifth (twice), and sixth in previous years.
Zack Wheeler has also delivered a noteworthy season with a 16-7 record, 2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings. Though slightly behind Skubal and Sale, Wheeler's performance solidifies his status as one of the elite pitchers in the league.
The Cleveland Guardians' Surprising Season
The Cleveland Guardians have defied expectations throughout the season. Initially projected to finish around .500 with a gambling win total set at 79, the team found themselves positioned in third place in the AL Central. Losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and witnessing underperformance from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen complicated their journey. Yet, remarkably, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League," one observer remarked, capturing the improbable nature of their success.
The Milwaukee Brewers' Dominance in the NL Central
The Milwaukee Brewers have held a firm grip on the NL Central, not trailing since April 29. They are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. The Brewers have overcome significant challenges, including the departure of Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs last winter, Brandon Woodruff's absence for the 2024 season, the trade of Corbin Burnes to the Orioles during spring training, and injuries to Devin Williams and Christian Yelich. Despite these setbacks, the team has shown remarkable resilience under new leadership. "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season," highlighting the internal strength and adaptability exhibited by the Brewers.
Awaiting the Final Decisions
As anticipation builds for the announcement of the awards, voters are mindful of the significant performances that have shaped the season. "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win," a voter stated, emphasizing the speculative nature surrounding the award season. Another voter echoed this sentiment, saying, "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 2023 season has been filled with extraordinary accomplishments and unforeseen twists. From Aaron Judge's historic season to the Cleveland Guardians' unexpected rise and the Milwaukee Brewers' steady dominance, the narratives unfolding have captivated the baseball world. As the playoffs loom and the award announcements approach, the ultimate recognition for these stellar performances remains anyone's guess.