MLB: MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year Races in August

The MLB landscape has undergone significant changes since the All-Star break, with notable shifts in standings and in the race for individual awards. This month, the “Awards Watch” reflects those transformations, showcasing new leaders and marked differences in some categories. Despite predictions and sports market bets aligning on the current favorites, the baseball season has shown that things can change quickly. Therefore, none of the races for the awards can be considered closed.

Contents

Most Valuable Player Cy Young Rookie of the Year Manager of the Year

Most Valuable Player

MLB: MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year Races in August

American LeagueTop Candidate: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (152 AXE)

Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners (146)
Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (137)
José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians (136)
Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros (131)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (130)
Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins (129)
Julio Rodríguez, Mariners (127)
Corey Seager, Texas Rangers, Randy Arozarena, Mariners, Maikel García, Royals (126)

Leader Trend: Judge has declined slightly in AXE statistics, but still remains one of the top contenders. Despite injuries and less consistent performance, Judge has still not been surpassed by Raleigh in betting and statistics.Biggest rise: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has shown great progress, standing out in the offense of the Toronto Blue Jays. His performance in the second half of the season has been impressive, leading the team and consolidating his position in the American League.Up next: Cal Raleigh has shown good performance with his bat, although his average has dropped a bit. If Raleigh continues with his current home run pace, he could have a significant impact on the race for the award, especially if Seattle maintains its position in the West Division.

National League

Top Candidate: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (152 AXE)

Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs (140)
Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (136)
Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs (133)
Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies, Juan Soto, New York Mets (130)
Will Smith, Dodgers (129)
Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (128)
Trea Turner, Phillies (127)

Leader’s Trend: Ohtani remains the clear favorite. Despite the strong competition, Ohtani has maintained exceptional performance in both batting and pitching.Highest rise: Although he has had an inconsistent performance, Kyle Tucker has shown a good performance with the Chicago Cubs, remaining in contention for the award.Up next: Kyle Schwarber has maintained a high level of play, with a high probability of reaching 50 home runs. Despite not having a significant impact in other areas of the game, Schwarber could secure a place in the top 10 in the MVP voting.

Cy Young

American LeagueTop Candidate: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (143 AXE)

Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox (138)
Hunter Brown, Houston Astros (131)
Framber Valdez, Astros, Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers (130)
Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (129)
Kris Bubic, Kansas City Royals (123)
Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays, Michael Wacha, Royals (121)
Max Fried, New York Yankees (120)

Leader’s Trend: Skubal has had a mixed performance in the last month, which has kept the competition for the award open.Greatest rise: Nathan Eovaldi has shown a steady improvement in his effectiveness. Before a recent game, his earned run record was impressive.

Up next: Garrett Crochet has been remarkably consistent, and has proven to be a quality and quantity pitcher for the Red Sox.

National League

Top Prospect: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates (140.4 AXE)

Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies (140.2)
Zack Wheeler, Phillies (136)
Andrew Abbott, Cincinnati Reds (127)
Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres (126)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (124)
Nick Lodolo, Reds, Ranger Suarez, Phillies, Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs (123)
Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants (121)

Leader’s Trend: The competition is fierce, but Skenes seems to be the favorite for now. The betting market agrees.

Highest rise: Cristopher Sanchez has maintained a high level of play, with an effectiveness of 2.06 since May.

Up next: Andrew Abbott has stood out as the most consistent pitcher in Cincinnati’s rotation. A good performance in the season finale could impress voters.

Rookie of the Year

American LeagueTop Candidate: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (123 AXE)

Noah Cameron, Kansas City Royals (117)
Jacob Wilson, Athletics (115)
Carlos Narvaez, Boston Red Sox (113)
Roman Anthony, Red Sox (111)
Will Warren, New York Yankees (109)
Cam Smith, Houston Astros (108)
Mike Vasil, Chicago White Sox (107)
Colson Montgomery, White Sox, Jacob Lopez, Athletics (106)

Leader’s Trend: Kurtz has led the race, with an outstanding performance, although he has decreased a bit in the home run department.Biggest rise: Colson Montgomery has met expectations, showing great potential with the bat.Up next: Will Warren has been consistent, and his performance has been crucial for the Yankees.

National League

Lead Candidate: Isaac Collins, Milwaukee Brewers (121 AXE)

Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves (114)
Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers (112)
Chad Patrick, Brewers (110)
Bradley Lord, Washington Nationals (109)
Hyeseong Kim, Los Angeles Dodgers (107)
Jack Dreyer, Dodgers, Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs (105)
Matt Shaw, Cubs, Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers, Logan Henderson, Brewers, Jakob Marsee, Miami Marlins (104)

Leader’s Trend: Collins has taken the lead, creating a difference in a race that has been very contested.Biggest rise: Collins has performed great, which has driven the Brewers to a positive streak.Up next: Matt Shaw has shown great potential at third base, and his performance has improved significantly in batting.