Dodgers Way: Predicting the 2018 MLB Award Winners

In honor of opening day, our contributors here at Dodgers Way predicted who they think would win each individual award for the 2018 season.

National League Award Predictions

Rookie of the Year

Ronald Acuna (ATL) – He will get a chance, which is all he’ll need. -Mike Margy

Ronald Acuna (ATL) – He’s hit at all three levels and tore up spring training. The only reason he’s not on the opening-day roster is the service time clock -Sunit Bhakta

Ronald Acuna (ATL) – Arguably the best prospect in baseball and the only reason he won’t be in the Brave’s opening day lineup is because of the controllable years rules. -Michael Wittman

JP Crawford (PHI)- The pride of Lakewood high school will help the Phillies make a real playoff push this season from the shortstop position. -Hector Ponce

Nick Senzel (CIN) – Senzel does everything well, especially with the bat. Senzel will work at second in the minors as his original position, (3B) is blocked in the majors. His slick fielding should make that a smooth transition. To push back his clock, he’s been sent to the minors to start the season. When he gets the call, which could be soon, he should put up great numbers hitting in that ballpark. -Kevin Shacter

Ronald Acuna (ATL) – Acuna has some of the best pure tools of any prospect and is ready to put them on display.  If the Dodgers call Walker Buehler up early enough he could make this interesting, but the award is Acuna’s to lose. -Josh Mayesh

Jorge Alfaro (PHI) – Alfaro is out of options in getting his chance to become the Phillies first-string catcher and handle the young pitching staff that also includes Jake Arrieta. He will rise to the occasion, hit 20 home runs and handle it behind the plate. -Mario Phillips

Victor Robles (WSH) – Speed kills and in the case of 20-year-old outfielder Victor Robles, that is certainly the case. He is fast with good contact hitting and his defense is elite. Robles has the potential to have a huge year. -Jacob Rudner

CY Young

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – No NL pitcher has won three in a row since Randy Johnson in the early 2000s. -Mike Margy

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – He’d have five if he healthy the last two seasons. I believe this season he will remain healthy -Sunit Bhakta

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – Injuries have Kershaw in a Cy Young drought, in what is essentially a contract year, Kershaw will stay healthy and be his usual dominant self. -Michael Wittman

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – Most dominant pitcher of our generation. Will only continue to make hitters look silly this season. -Hector Ponce

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – We’re looking like a bunch of homers here, but can you really blame us? Kershaw is one of the greatest pitchers ever to live. He’s mad about the World Series. He’s tired of being called injury prone. He doesn’t like hearing the increasing number of voices in the game calling Kluber of Scherzer the best SP. He has a chance to opt out and find a shiny new contract. Kershaw will dominate 2018. -Kevin Shacter

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – Kershaw is in the conversation for the Cy Young every year.  This year he remains healthy and takes it back. -Josh Mayesh

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – because he’s due. -Mario Phillips

Clayton Kershaw (LA) – It is hard to pick against the game’s best pitcher and after back-to-back losses to Max Scherzer, Kershaw is hungry for his fourth Cy Young. -Jacob Rudner

MVP

Nolan Arenado (COL) – His glove and his bat are still evolving, which is a very scary thought. -Mike Margy

Bryce Harper (WAS) – Contract year this year was having a terrific year last year and we all know his potential. -Sunit Bhakta

Corey Seager (LA) – Call me a homer but I think this is the year Seager crosses the 30 homer plateau and takes over the role of team leader. The only thing that can stop Seager is a barky elbow. -Michael Wittman

Bryce Harper (WAS… future LAD) – My heart says Seager but everything is lined up for Harper to explode this year and claim the MVP again. -Hector Ponce

Bryce Harper (WAS) – One of the most feared hitters in the game, playing in one of the game’s deepest lineups. The return of Eaton makes it even scarier. His pursuit of the richest contract in baseball history could very well coincide with the Nats winning 100 games. -Kevin Shacter

Joey Votto (CIN) – After narrowly finishing second to Giancarlo Stanton in last year’s vote, Votto continues to put up MVP numbers and is finally rewarded. -Josh Mayesh

Corey Seager (LAD) – I agree with Mike…this is the year he goes from star to superstar. -Mario Phillips

Nolan Arenado (COL) – In my opinion, Arenado has gotten snubbed in the MVP voting three years in a row. He is the best defender in the game, he has 40 home run power and his offensive production is unrivaled. I think Nolan runs away with this one. -Jacob Rudner

Comeback Player

Matt Kemp (LA) – If everything is true about him changing himself in the offseason, and spring results are any indication, he’s the clear-cut winner. -Mike Margy

Noah Syndergaard (NYM) – As talented as they come and he showed us two years ago what he can do. He will only get better -Sunit Bhakta

Noah Syndergaard (NYM) – One of the most electric pitchers in baseball. If he is over his arm troubles he will be Kershaw’s toughest competitor for the CY Young. -Michael Wittman

Yoenis Cespedes (NYM)- Widely considered the best LF in baseball before last season. An elite defender with a big bat should be a big help to the Mets. -Hector Ponce

Noah Syndergaard (NYM) The big righty is always a terror to see on the mound. If he stays healthy, the Mets figure to have the best shot at finishing second in the NLE.  -Kevin Shacter

Noah Syndergaard (NYM) – Thor looks to be fully recovered from last year’s devastating injury and may find himself in the hunt for the Cy Young as well.  –Josh Mayesh

Madison Bumgarner (SF)  – still think he’s going to come back with a vengeance and have enough time to put together a solid come back season. -Mario Phillips

Madison Bumgarner (SF) – MadBum missed a huge chunk of last year after crashing a motorcycle and when he did play it was nothing special. If he can come back strong from his broken hand in 2018, he should run away with this award. -Jacob Rudner

American League Award Predictions

Rookie of the Year

Willy Adames (TB) – He has a clear path to be the starter and has proven his worth for three years in the minors. -Mike Margy

Willy Adames (TB) – He has the clearest path than any of the other contenders -Sunit Bhakta

Will Adames (TB) – A preseason favorite due to his clear playing time. Playing on a team in tank mode will make Adames look even better.  -Michael Wittman

Gleyber Torres( NYY) – Won’t start the season with the big league club but with the Yankees being weak at 2nd and 3rd Torres should eventually make his way up and be very good.  -Hector Ponce

Shoehi Ohtani (LAA) – Everyone is having a great time watching Ohtani struggle in Spring. He doesn’t need to be Clemens out of the gate to put together a good year. If he hits .250 and wins 10 + games with a decent ERA, he should win this award. -Kevin Shacter

Austin Hays (BAL) – Although he will likely start off the season in the minors, Hays raw power could find its way into a struggling Orioles lineup and stake his claim to their outfield for years to come. -Josh Mayesh

Nick Gordon (MIN) – Starting the year in the Minors but will eventually come up and fill the vacancy vacated by the suspended Polanco. Star shortstop in the making. -Mario Phillips

Shohei Ohtani (LAA) – Ohtani looked awful this spring but I think that has no bearing on how well his season will go. If he can be successful at the plate and on the mound he’ll be rookie of the year. -Jacob Rudner

CY Young

Corey Kluber (CLE) – He’s been the most consistent AL pitcher over the past few years, and there are no signs of a slowdown.  -Mike Margy

Corey Kluber (CLE) Most consistent pitcher in AL for a few years and is the reigning winner. -Sunit Bhakta

Justin Verlander (HOU) – The trade to Houston seemed to re-energize Verlander last year. I think the momentum continues and Verlander puts together a spectacular season. -Michael Wittman

Chris Sale (BOS) – The man is filthy. -Hector Ponce

Chris Sale (BOS) In my mind, Sale is the best pitcher in the American League. He struck out over 300 batters in the AL East last year. That’s tough to do. They’ll need those strikeouts again to keep up with New York. -Kevin Shacter

Chris Sale (BOS) – Sale seemed to tire in the second half last year.  This year he is able to maintain his first-half dominance and runs away with the Cy Young. -Josh Mahesh

Chris Sale (BOS) – Best pitcher in AL, second best behind Kershaw in MLB for now. -Mario Phillips

Chris Sale (BOS) – If you really wanted to, you could make a case that Chris Sale should have won the Cy Young in each of the past six seasons, he’s won none. This is the year. -Jacob Rudner

MVP

Jose Altuve (HOU) – He’s the best player in baseball. The end. -Mike Margy

Mike Trout (LAA) – Best player in baseball and finally has a team capable of a run at a Wild Card  spot which will help -Sunit Bhakta

Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) – Stanton has the best supporting cast of his career and plays in a ballpark where pop flies turn into homers. -Michael Wittman

Mike Trout (LAA) – When healthy, Trout is the best player in baseball and it’s not even close. Finally has some protection in that lineup and a team that should be in the mix for a playoff spot -Hector Ponce

Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) – The new age Murder’s Row is terrifying. The most powerful man in the game has a chance to put up 60 homers and take home another trophy. -Kevin Shacter

Mike Trout (LAA)  – He’s Mike Trout. Mike Trout.  All he has to do is remain healthy and the award is his.  It won’t even be close. -Josh Mayesh

Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) – That uniform, lineup and fan base will take his game to a whole new level. – Mario Phillips

Mike Trout (LAA) – He is the Clayton Kershaw of batting and if he can stay healthy he is better than anyone else in the league by a mile. -Jacob Rudner

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Comeback Player

Michael Brantley (CLE) – If he can finally stay healthy, he’s a 20-30 guy. -Mike Margy

Garret Richards (LAA) – Ace potential when healthy. Looks good and healthy in the spring and believe, while limited at first, will put up numbers similar to those during his breakout campaign and have a tremendous impact on the Angels’ wild-card chase – Sunit Bhakta

Jason Kipnis (CLE) – Kipnis dealt with injuries in 2017 but is back and healthy for a Cleveland team that is one of the best in baseball. -Michael Wittman

Aaron Sanchez (TOR) – Was the teams best starter a few years back and him getting back in form could be very scary. -Hector Ponce

David Price (BOS) – His star is beginning to fade. However, he’ll have the chance to shut everybody up and help Boston form the best 1-2 punch in the game. He says he feels great. -Kevin Shacter

Garret Richards (LAA)  – This could be the year that Richards puts it all together and he becomes one of the elite pitchers in the league.  Pencil him in for 15 wins and a 3.25 ERA as he keeps the Angels in the hunt for the Wild Card all season long. –Josh Mayesh

Next: NL West Positional Power Rankings

Tim Lincecum (TEX) – Why not? -Mario Phillips

Andrew Heaney (LAA) – He had surgery last year that cost him the whole year but the young starter is seriously good when healthy. -Jacob Rudner