Dodgers Way Contributors MLB Regular Season Award Predictions

The MLB has named the finalist for the major regular season award. Two Dodgers already missed an opportunity to take home a Gold Glove, but here is our staff prediction of the rest of the MLB awards.

The Silver Slugger is awarded to the best offensive player at each position for both leagues. The award is determined by the coaches and managers of the MLB and usually weighs batting average and home runs as the deciding statistics. These are our staff’s prediction for the Silver Slugger winners of the National League and American League.

* All players with asterisks did not make the final three in voting *

NL/AL Silver Sluggers 

Catcher

– Buster Posey & Gary Sanchez – @wittman7

– Buster Posey & Gary Sanchez – @_hponce

– Buster Posey & Gary Sanchez– @rvargas0

– Buster Posey & Gary Sanchez – @cbece013

– Buster Posey & Gary Sanchez – @bsmithme

– Yadier Molina & Gary Sanchez – @DGabruch

– Buster Posey & Gary Sanchez – @ACGonzo7

First Base

– Joey Votto & Jose Abreu– @wittman7

– Joey Votto & Jose Abreu– @_hponce

– Joey Votto & Justin Smoak– @rvargas0

– Joey Votto & Justin Smoak– @cbece013

– Joey Votto & Jose Abreu– @bsmithme

– Joey Votto & Justin Smoak– @DGabruch

– Joey Votto & Jose Abreu– @ACGonzo7

Second Base

– Daniel Murphy & Jose Altuve– @wittman7

– Daniel Murphy & Jose Altuve– @_hponce

– Daniel Murphy & Jose Altuve – @rvargas0

– DJ LeMahieu & Jose Altuve– @cbece013

– Daniel Murphy & Jose Altuve– @bsmithme

– Scooter Gennett & Jose Altuve– @DGabruch

– Daniel Murphy & Jose Altuve– @ACGonzo7

Third Base

– Nolan Arenado & Jose Ramirez– @wittman7

– Nolan Arenado & Jose Ramirez – @_hponce

– Nolan Arenado & Jose Ramirez– @rvargas0

– Nolan Arenado & Manny Machado– @cbece013

– Nolan Arenado & Mike Moustakas– @bsmithme

– Nolan Arenado & Jose Ramirez– @DGabruch

– Nolan Arenado & Jose Ramirez– @ACGonzo7

Short Stop

– Zack Cozart & Francisco Lindor– @wittman7

– Corey Seager & Francisco Lindor– @_hponce

– Zack Cozart & Carlos Correa – @rvargas0

– Zack Cozart & Carlos Correa– @cbece013

– Corey Seager & Carlos Correa– @bsmithme

– Zack Cozart & Francisco Lindor– @DGabruch

– Corey Seager & Carlos Correa– @ACGonzo7

Outfield

– JD Martinez, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton– @wittman7

– Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Justin Upton– @wittman7

– Marcell Ozuna, Charlie Blackmon, Giancarlo Stanton– @_hponce

– Justin Upton, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge– @_hponce

– JD Martinez, Giancarlo Stanton, Blackmon– @rvargas0

– Justin Upton, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout– @rvargas0

– Giancarlo Stanton, Charlie Blackmon– @cbece013

– Justin Upton, Brett Gardner, Jose Bautista– @cbece013

– Marcell Ozuna, Charlie Blackmon, Giancarlo Stanton– @bsmithme

– Justin Upton, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge– @bsmithme

– JD Martinez, Charlie Blackmon, Giancarlo Stanton– @DGabruch

– Justin Upton, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge– @DGabruch

– Giancarlo Stanton, Charlie Blackmon, JD Martinez– @ACGonzo7

– Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, George Springer– @ACGonzo7

National League Rookie of the Year

Cody Bellinger – Set a new record for NL home runs by a rookie and played all over the field for the Dodgers. As soon as he came up, it sparked the Dodgers onto their historic run. Without him, the Dodgers may not win the West. @wittman7

Cody Bellinger – NL HR Rookie Record Holder and 2nd in the National League behind Stanton. @rvargas0

Cody Bellinger – Is it even a question? @bsmithme3

Cody Bellinger – Can you even make a case for anyone else? @_hponce

Cody Bellinger – Downright defined winning ways of the Dodgers this season – when others were struggling. @DGabruch

Cody Bellinger – NL Rookie record for homers, lifted team once he arrived, forced his way into a full-time gig with slugging ways, what else do you need to know? @ACGonzo7

Cody Bellinger – Bellinger is by far and away the rookie of the year. He broke the NL record for home runs as a rookie and led the Dodgers to the best record in baseball while he was on the field. Bellinger and it’s not even close. @cbece013

American League Rookie of the Year

Aaron Judge – Set a new MLB record for home runs by a rookie.  The Yankees do not make the playoffs without him, and defensively he is severely overrated in part because of the attention his bat gets. @wittman7

Aaron Judge– MLB Record for home runs by a rookie @rvargas0

Aaron Judge– Again, really not much of a question @bsmithme3

Aaron Judge– No contest @_hponce

Aaron Judge – Set records, and Matt Olson did not play in enough games to catch up to Judge. @DGabruch

Aaron Judge – Rookie homer record, nobody else even close @ACGonzo7

Aaron Judge– Single-handedly sent the Yankees to the playoffs by setting a new rookie home run record. He was leading the AL in the triple crown batting statistics through the first half of the season before tailing off at the end of the year. No doubt here. @cbece013

NL Manager of the Year

Dave Roberts – Best record in the major leagues while managing around the deepest team in baseball.  He had to figure out which pieces to play when and although he did make some mistakes, he did an outstanding job overall. @wittman7

Torey Lovullo – The Diamondbacks spent so much money two years ago, and it didn’t translate into a successful season. After cleaning house, Lovullo was able to make it work, helping the Diamondbacks reach the postseason in a very tough NL West.  @rvargas0

*Craig Counsell– Led team to a record ten games over 500, after being 16 games under 2016 and 26 games under in 2015. Didn’t make playoffs but deserves the nod nonetheless. @bsmithme3

* Dusty Baker – Injuries abound and had a dumpster fire of a bullpen early on. Despite all of that, he still managed the Nats to an NL East title and 97 wins. @_hponce

Torey Lovullo – Led the Diamondbacks to a phenomenal regular season in which they were expected to be in somewhat of a rebuild — or at least not competitive for a couple more years. @DGabruch

Dave Roberts – Managed the best team in the majors.  Even with the deepest roster, still needed to develop Bellinger, Taylor, Wood, and resurrect Puig. Crazy humility during highs, great poise during lows, the team is a direct reflection of him. @ACGonzo7

Dave Roberts – Managed the Dodgers to the best record in baseball. Often found spots for players that weren’t part of the initial plan for the regular season. Was able to break his team out of an abysmal stretch during late August and September. He dealt with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. @cbece013

AL Manager of the Year

Terry Francona – A year after a disappointing finish by losing in game 7 of the World Series, Francona helped the Indians rebound and finish with the best record in the AL. @wittman7

Paul Molitor– Molitor led the team to an 85-77 record, making playoffs for the first time since 2010. Their record of 59-103 in 2016 makes this record stand out even further. @bsmithme3

Paul Molitor– The Twins were not supposed to compete. The whole offseason was spending shopping Brian Dozier. Molitor guided the Twins to the playoffs after being one of the worst teams last season. @rvargas0

Paul Molitor– Led a team to the playoffs despite the front office being the mess that it is. The front office couldn’t decide if they were buyers or sellers at the deadline and Molitor was still able to get this team into the playoffs. @_hponce

Terry Francona – Essentially deserves to be the manager of the year wherever he manages. Longest AL winning-streak of all-time as well; and quite frankly, should beat the NY Giants record. @DGabruch

Paul Molitor – His team wasn’t really supposed to be here, a huge turnaround from last season. Very improbable run that was done by a bunch of seemingly no-name guys. @ACGonzo7

Paul Molitor – Took a team that was in a rebuilding stage in the offseason to the postseason. He had a 26 win turnaround from last season with essentially the same roster. @cbece013

NL Cy Young

Clayton Kershaw – While injuries cut his season short, Scherzer also dealt with injuries.  Besides strikeouts, Kershaw was better than Scherzer, and whenever he was on the mound, it seemed like an automatic W for the Dodgers. @wittman7

Max Scherzer – It pains me not to give this award to Kershaw, but I believe that Scherzer had a better year. Scherzer pitched 25 more innings than Kershaw but gave up ten fewer hits. Also, his WHIP was better, gave up less HR than Kershaw, and had a higher strikeout per 9. @rvargas0

Max Scherzer – Led National league in ERA and strikeouts. Also had the best WHIP by far, and pitched in four more games than Kershaw, throwing 25 more innings. I’d love Kershaw to win, but it will ultimately be Scherzer.   @bsmithme3

Max Scherzer – Kershaw’s injury gave Mad Max enough time to pad his lead in the Cy Young race. The leader in WHIP, Strikeouts, and BAA. Second in ERA. @_hponce

Max Scherzer – Whether Kershaw’s injury truly affects the final vote or not, Scherzer has earned his place statistically and has still led Washington to another NL East division crown. @DGabruch

Clayton Kershaw – Still the best SP of this generation. Most Wins and best ERA in NL despite missing time again with back issues. @ACGonzo7

Clayton Kershaw – Kershaw’s injury is really the only reason why this is up for debate. Up until his injury, he was leading the NL in every statistical category and was on his way to a spectacular season. The only stat that would leave me hesitant on Kershaw is the number of home runs allowed. Even with the most home runs in his career and four less starts, he still led the MLB in ERA and Wins. @cbece013

AL Cy Young

Corey Kluber – While Sale came out hot from the start, Kluber just got better as the season went along.  He was the best pitcher in the AL. @wittman7

Corey Kluber – Best pitcher in the AL when you look at the total body of work. Team success also plays a factor. @rvargas0

Corey Kluber – Ridiculous ERA, tied for the league lead in wins, second in strikeouts to Sale. Easily the Cy Young winner @bsmithme3

Corey Kluber – Finished strong and led in virtually every major statistical category except for strikeouts. @_hponce

Corey Kluber – Hands down had one of the best seasons in history. Not to mention that he was apart of the amazing winning streak. Also maintained his consistency even after battling short-term injuries. @DGabruch

Corey Kluber – Was ridiculously stellar down the stretch. Most Wins, best ERA, and WHIP. Yes, Sale has him on the Ks by a lot, but Kluber is also the ace for AL’s best team. @ACGonzo7

Corey Kluber – Kluber was a vital part of the Indians 50 game stretch where they challenged the Dodgers for the best record in the league. Sale faltered, and Kluber was in a class of his own once he returned from injury. @cbece013