End of Season Awards
The AL/NL teams, Ernie Banks
As the end of the first season of this concludes, I wanted to unveil All-AL and NL teams. Much like the mid-season one I did during the All-Star break, I wanted to look at a total run contribution for finding the best player at each position.
American League
C Cal Raleigh (SEA)
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr (TOR)
2B Marcus Semien (TEX)
3B Jose Ramirez (CLE)
SS Bobby Witt Jr (KC)
LF Jarren Duran (BOS)
CF Aaron Judge (NYY)
RF Juan Soto (NYY)
DH Gunnar Henderson (BAL)
SP Tarik Skubal (DET)
SP Corbin Burnes (BAL)
SP Logan Gilbert (SEA)
SP Seth Lugo (KC)
SP Jose Berrios (TOR)
RP Emmanuel Clase (CLE)
RP Kirby Yates (TEX)
MVP Judge
The position players were fairly easy to identify. Most every leader had been established by the last week or so of the season. Marcus Semien surprised me from an otherwise forgettable Rangers season. Aaron Judge is a clear choice for MVP.
The relievers for both leagues were difficult to identify. 27 qualified relievers had a WHIP under 1.000, and 14 had an ERA under 2.00. Clase led the field in both categories (0.61 ERA, 0.659 WHIP).
National League
C William Contreras (MIL)
1B Bryce Harper (PHI)
2B Ketel Marte (ARI)
3B Matt Chapman (SFG)
SS Francisco Lindor (NYM)
LF Jurickson Profar (SD)
CF Brenton Doyle (COL)
RF Te’Oscar Hernandez (LAD)
DH Shohei Ohtani (LAD)
SP Zack Wheeler (PHI)
SP Shota Imanaga (CHC)
SP Logan Webb (SFG)
SP Aaron Nola (PHI)
SP Chris Sale (ATL)
RP Raisel Iglesias (ATL)
RP AJ Puk (ARI)
MVP Ohtani
When I wrote about Ohtani a few months back, I was hesitant about selecting a designated hitter as the National League MVP. I was hoping for a historic, monumental season to make it obvious he was the MVP. 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases was plenty of justification for the National League’s first MVP from the designated hitter position. I’m curious to see how the speed on the bases stays with his game when he returns to the mound in 2025.
Much like the American League, the NL was Raisel Iglesias and a dozen viable options. AJ Puk led NL relievers in ERA (1.72).
Ernie Banks Award for Excellence Among Mediocrity
I got great feedback on this award at the All-Star Break, so I wanted to continue searching for the best player on a last place team.
American League
West - Zach Neto (LAA)
Central - Garrett Crochet (CWS)
East - Vladimir Guerrero Jr (TOR)
Winner - Guerrero, Jr
The incredible bounce back by Vladimir Guerrero, Jr goes to show he’s truly a star in today’s game. He may not remind some fans of Senior, but he’s got his own skill that makes him a star.
National League
West - Brenton Doyle (COL)
Central - Paul Skenes (PIT)
East - Otto Lopez (MIA)
Winner - Doyle
Doyle was able to stay in the lineup nearly every day this season, and improve his offensive production (149 G, .260/.317/.446). These improvements combined with his Gold Glove-caliber defense made him a more valuable asset this season than Pirates mega-prospect Paul Skenes.
Enjoy the playoffs, and I’ll see y’all with some off-season content soon!