MLB: Early candidates for Major League Baseball's top awards

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Yes, we know it’s very early in the MLB season. No, it isn’t too early to think about the major league’s top award winners. Some players have excelled early on and have their sights set on the hardware.

Ah, way too early MLB predictions, how they’ve been missed. We’re almost at the end of April, though, and that means that it’s a prime time to take a look at players who have started off red-hot.

As it’s been the case the past few seasons, some players have become near lock’s for certain awards, while other’s remain up for grabs.

Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player awards are the granddaddy of them all. In the National League, frontrunner’s for the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year look fairly clear. On the other hand, in the American League, it seems as though the MVP award is completely up in the air.

But, we have to remember, it’s still just April. A lot can and will change from now until the end of the season. After all, do we think Ryan Flaherty or Asdrubal Cabrera will keep up their hot start’s to win the MVP?

The answer is no.

So, with that, let’s take a look at the MLB players who lead races for the leagues biggest awards.

MLB American League Rookie of the Year – Shohei Ohtani

There’s no other way to put it, Shohei Ohtani has flat out delivered in his first few weeks in the major leagues.

He’s been as advertised since coming over from Japan, dazzling on the mound and at the plate. Through 42 at-bat’s, the lefty-swinging Shoei Ohtani is slashing .333/.378/.619 with a .997 OPS. Additionally, he’s hit three home run’s and driven in 11 RBI’s.

Los Angeles Angels

For what it’s worth, one of his home run’s came off Cleveland Indian’s ace Corey Kluber.

Regardless of who the home runs came off of, Shohei Ohtani has looked unfazed in his transition from the Nippon Professional Baseball League to the MLB.

On the mound, Ohtani took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Oakland A’s and has otherwise looked great. He’s compiled a 3.60 ERA with 19 strikeout’s in 16 innings of work.

He’s allowed just eight hits and four walks in this span, too.

As it stands now, there is no competition for Shohei Ohtani’s taking of the award.

If anything, Gleyber Torres could make a push, as could Miguel Andujar if he secures steady playing time.

Still, it appears this is Shohei Ohtani’s award to lose, barring a collapse of some sort.

SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Christian Villanueva /

MLB: National League Rookie of the Year – Christian Villanueva

San Diego Padres’ third baseman Christian Villanueva is proof that it’s never too late to make an impact in the majors.

The 26-year-old made his major league debut in 2017 as a September call-up. He finished with a .344 batting average in the 12 games he played in.

This season, he’s picked up right where he left off. In 72 plate appearances, he’s hit .335/.444/.774 with an absurd 1.219 OPS. Now, he isn’t going to sustain this type of production for the entire season.

Otherwise, we’d be talking about one of the best MVP seasons of all-time.

I’ll stick with my gut here and predict that he endures his fair share of slumps, as he has just 94 plate appearances in his career so far.

But, the early results are certainly promising. He’s clubbed seven home run’s, tied with Javier Baez for second-most in the NL.

There isn’t a close second to Villanueva, either. Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder Jesse Winker has looked solid with a .285 average and .433 OBP.

If Ronald Acuna, arguably the top prospect in the game, excels in his eventual debut, he could find his way into the discussion. He’s already been billed as a future star and Rookie of the Year.

As of now, Christian Villanueva is the clear frontrunner.

MLB: American League Cy Young – Gerrit Cole

This award, along with the American League MVP, was the toughest to analyze.

There’s a wealth of elite pitchers in the AL, but none have been as dominant as Houston Astros’ righty Gerrit Cole.

In four starts, he’s pitched to a 0.96 ERA with 41 K’s in 28 innings. He’s walked just six batters, too. He’s striking out a ridiculous 13.2 batters per nine innings right now.

Sure, that ratio probably won’t last, but he’s sure looked good as a member of reigning World Series champs.

If you thought that either a lefty or right might have an advantage when facing him, you’re out of luck. Righties and lefties are hitting a combined .156 off Cole. In 1-2 and 2-2 counts, Cole has excelled, retiring 28 of 39 batters via the strikeout.

While he’s certainly off to an incredible start, he’s not a shoe-in for the award. His teammate, Justin Verlander has also looked un-hittable, with a 1.10 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP.

New York Yankees’ young ace Luis Severino finished third in Cy Young voting a year ago, while Chris Sale and Corey Kluber are perennial contenders for the award.

The race will likely come down to the last week of the season, with Cole firmly in the running.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 14: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer /

MLB National League Cy Young – Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer has been his usual self in 2018; dominate. The winner of two-straight NL Cy Young awards, ‘Mad Max’ is gunning for his third in a row.

Right now, he doesn’t have much competition, either. Through five starts, the 33-year-old is 4-1 with a 1.36 ERA and 0.76 WHIP. In all five starts, he’s recorded 7+ strikeouts and three games with 10+.

Like Cole, Scherzer isn’t letting up to either side of the plate, as lefties and righties are hitting .162 against him. There aren’t many pitchers in the game that match Scherzer’s energy, drive, and intimidation on the mound.

While he should be a shoe-in for the award by July, other starters have excelled.

Johnny Cueto has put San Francisco on his back, with an NL-best 0.35 ERA and 1.7 WAR. Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks appears to be putting things together, with 48 K’s in 33.1 innings.

Of course, Clayton Kershaw is always a candidate for the award. Right now, my money is on Scherzer taking home the hardware for the third straight year.

MLB American League Most Valuable Player – Even

As previously stated, this award was the hardest to pick, and for a good reason.

Could it finally be Mookie Betts‘ year, as he’s hit .366 with a .459 OBP and 14 extra base hit’s in 71 at-bat’s? Maybe it’s Manny Machado‘s time, as the shortstop has crushed eight home run’s and driven in 17 run’s.

Mike Trout will surely be in the running, but he’d probably consider his .306/.406/.682 start “slow.”

Aaron Judge looks better than he did in 2017 when he finished second in voting to Jose Altuve, which is a scary thought for pitchers.

Jose Altuve, too, looks in top form, with a .344 average and 10 walks in 23 games.

Aaron Judge’s teammate, Didi Gregorius, is a genuine sleeper candidate for the award. The 28-year-old is hitting .333 with six home run’s and 20 RBI’s, good for second-most in the AL.

Carlos Correa is cementing his status as the game’s best overall shortstop, as he’s hit .351 with 10 extra base hit’s and 19 RBI’s.

If you couldn’t tell, this race is wide open. Check back in July to see might separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

MLB National League Most Valuable Player – Nolan Arenado

Off the bat, I can tell you one thing; this choice was a lot easier than the American League MVP award.

More from Call to the Pen

Simply put, Colorado Rockies slugger Nolan Arenado certified his status as one of the game’s best hitters years ago. He’s finished in the top-10 of MVP voting for the past three years, and 2018 might be his year.

After finishing 2017 with a .309 average, he’s continued into 2018 with a scorching .344 mark. While he’s only hit three home run’s so far, he’ll pick it up. He’s finished the last four seasons with 30+ round tripper’s.

His OPS has steadily increased over the past three seasons, too, so it’s not crazy to think he could finish with one over 1.000.

2015 – .898 OPS
2016 – .932 OPS
2017 – .959 OPS

Ryan Flaherty and Christian Villanueva aren’t likely to continue their torrid starts, making it easier for Arenado to stake his claim for the award.

Next: Matt Harvey moved to Mets Bullpen

If he starts to walk a bit more, he’ll be a near lock to finish in the top three of voting. Right now, the only thing stopping him from winning is his own production.

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