The conclusion of the regular baseball season brings with it the anticipation of major award decisions. As votes are cast before the playoff onset, fans eagerly await the post-World Series announcements of this year's honorees. Two key players, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, have been making waves with their incredible performances, despite taking very different paths.
Impressive Performances from Judge and Ohtani
Aaron Judge has been a powerhouse throughout the season, leading the majors in several key categories including home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. Judge's impressive statistics– .324/.460/.703 (224 OPS+), with 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and 10.6 WAR– underline his dominance. Despite playing out of position in center field and flawlessly stealing 10 bases in 10 attempts, Judge's performance has been stellar across the board.
Shohei Ohtani, on the other hand, continues to redefine what it means to be a two-way player. His season statistics of .303/.386/.642 (187 OPS+), with 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR, emphasize his well-rounded capabilities. Ohtani’s unique contribution of achieving 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season further cements his place as one of the most versatile players in the game.
Pitching Dominance
On the pitching front, Tarik Skubal has had a standout season with an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings. He leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, making a strong case for the Cy Young Award. Reflecting on Skubal’s performance, an observer 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."
Chris Sale's season has been equally impressive, finishing with an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Despite these numbers, Sale hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018 and has routinely placed outside the top spot in prior years. Zack Wheeler also deserves mention with his 16-7 record, a 2.56 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, further diversifying the competition for pitching accolades.
Surprises and Struggles
The Cleveland Guardians have exceeded all expectations this season. Initially projected to finish around .500 with a win total set at 79, and placed third in the AL Central, the Guardians are now only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. This success comes despite significant setbacks, such as losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and underperformances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen. As one commentator put it, "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League."
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have maintained a leading position in the NL Central since April 29 and are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. This stability is even more remarkable given their internal challenges: Craig Counsell’s departure for the Chicago Cubs last winter, the season-ending loss of Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes' spring training trade to the Orioles, and injuries to key players like Devin Williams and Christian Yelich. Despite these obstacles, the team's resilience has stood out. Reflecting on the Brewers' endurance, a source highlighted, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season."
The Voting Predicament
As the season draws to a close, the debate surrounding the major awards intensifies. One seasoned voter cautioned, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." The interplay of outstanding individual performances and team success makes the decision all the more challenging. The same voter elaborated, "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."
This blend of thrilling competition, unexpected triumphs, and resilient performances ensures that the 2023 baseball season will be remembered as one of the most compelling in recent history. Fans and analysts alike await the final word on award recipients, fully aware that each vote counts in determining the year's standout performers.