Predicting the Awards of the 2020 MLB season

We all know the 2020 MLB season will be different, between the 60-game season, the universal DH, and the lack of fans in the stands, at least to start off the season. So, what might that mean for the end-of-season awards? Let’s take some time to predict who might win what around the league

MVP – AL – Mike Trout, LAA

This is probably the easiest award to figure out. Now that Mookie Betts in on the Dodgers (*shiver*), Trout has even less competition this year in the American League. Outside of his short stint in the MLB in 2011, Trout has finished in the top 5 in MVP voting every year, and 2017 was the only year of those he wasn’t one of the top two. It might not mean as much due to the shorter season, but an MVP award is still an MVP award. One could make the case for someone like Alex Bregman, but I think he’s going to have too many HBPs this year to factor in as much.

MVP – NL – Ronald Acuna Jr., ATL

I’m going to move from a safe bet to probably my most controversial pick in this article. Acuna came in 5th in MVP voting last year, but that was just his sophomore season in the league. I’m a firm believer in his abilities, and he’ll have a lot of competition in the likes of Betts, Cody Bellinger, and Christian Yelich (and more), I’m predicting him to have improved enough that he can edge out everyone else in the race.

Cy Young – AL – Justin Verlander, HOU

Four of the top eight vote-getters last season played in Texas, which is something I find astounding. Who would have expected Mike Minor and Lance Lynn to have the seasons they had? Anyway, at the risk of sounding like a fool I don’t expect either to have the success they had last year. The move of #2 in the NL Hyun-Jin Ryu might provide some new competition here, but I think this will again be a competition between Verlander and Gerrit Cole, and call it bias, but I’m gonna give the edge to Justin here. I really hope the Cole signing blows up in the Yankees’ faces.

Cy Young – NL – Jacob DeGrom, NYM

Similarly to Trout, it seems like madness to bet against DeGrom with this award. While there are quite a few other big names on the short list, like Max Scherzer and Stephen Strausburg, as well as up-and-comers Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty, I fully expect DeGrom to take this award home in the shortened season, but this might become much more difficult in the future.

ROY – AL – Luis Robert, CWS

I feel like Rookie of the Year awards are always the hardest to predict because there’s the greatest chance of flops and breakouts to start out careers. It’ll even be more difficult to predict this year, with prospects only gaining service time if they’re on the active roster. That being said, Robert was #3 on the MLB top 100 prospects list in 2019, and the only AL prospective rookie above him, Wander Franco, is inexperienced after spending last year in single A ball. Franco might get some time, but Robert was projected to start in CF for the White Sox before COVID, so I’m placing my bet on him.

ROY – NL – Gavin Lux – LAD

The rich keep getting richer. As stated before, figuring out rookies this year could get tricky, but Lux is #2 in the MLB pipeline and absolutely crushed AAA pitching last year, hitting .392 with 31 extra base hits in just 49 games. He looks poised to jump right into the MLB, though that might be tough with the amount of talent on the Dodgers’ roster. Regardless, his talent is too great to pass up here. The Padres’ MacKenzie Gore is another prospect to watch.

Other Predictions:

Gold Glove Awards – AL

C: Roberto Perez, CLE
1B: Matt Olson, OAK
2B: DJ LeMahieu, NYY
3B: Matt Chapman, OAK
SS: Andrelton Simmons, LAA
LF: Joey Gallo, TEX
CF: Mike Trout, LAA
RF: Max Kepler, MIN
P: Zack Greinke, HOU

Gold Glove Awards – NL

C: J.T. Realmuto, PHI
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, STL
2B: Ozzie Albies, ATL
3B: Nolan Arenado, COL
SS: Trevor Story, COL
LF: David Peralta, ARI
CF: Cody Bellinger, LAD
RF: Mookie Betts, LAD
P: Marcus Stroman, NYM

Silver Slugger Awards – AL

C: Yasmani Grandal, CWS
1B: Carlos Santana, CLE
2B: Jose Altuve, HOU
3B: Anthony Rendon, LAA
SS: Xander Bogaerts, BOS
OF: Joey Gallo, TEX
OF: Mike Trout, LAA
OF: George Springer, HOU
DH: J.D. Martinez, BOS

Silver Slugger Awards – NL

C: J.T. Realmuto, PHI
1B: Pete Alonso, NYM
2B: Ozzie Albies, ATL
3B: Kris Bryant, CHC
SS: Javier Baez, CHC
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr., ATL
OF: Cody Bellinger, LAD
OF: Christian Yelich, MIL
DH: Nick Castellanos, CIN

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– Pat Shuman (@PShu1996 on Twitter)