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MLB awards: Some Hank Aaron Award selections miss their mark

By Bobby Mueller

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim waves to the stadium fans after being named the team's 2018 MVP during a ceremony prior to the MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on September 28, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 8-5. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim waves to the stadium fans after being named the team's 2018 MVP during a ceremony prior to the MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on September 28, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 8-5. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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MLB awards
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 3: J.D. Martinez #28 and Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox look on during a workout before the American League Division Series on October 3, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

American League East

Baltimore Orioles
Hank Aaron Award nominee: Adam Jones (613 PA, 98 wRC+)
Best hitter by wRC+: Mark Trumbo (358 PA, 107 wRC+)

The best hitter on the Orioles this year was Manny Machado (155 wRC+ in 413 PA with the Orioles), but he was traded to the Dodgers during the season. Of the remaining players, Mark Trumbo had a 107 wRC+, but only played in 90 games. Adam Jones is basically the default choice here, as he was one of only three Orioles with more than 500 plate appearances and he was better than the other two (Trey Mancini and Chris Davis).

Boston Red Sox
Hank Aaron Award nominee: J.D. Martinez (649 PA, 170 wRC+)
Best hitter by wRC+: Mookie Betts (614 PA, 185 wRC+)

Choosing J.D. Martinez over Mookie Betts isn’t an egregious choice. Martinez had a terrific year, with 111 runs scored, 43 homes, and 130 RBI. He hit .330/.402/.629, which is excellent. Despite this, Betts was better. He out-hit Martinez in all three rate stat categories (.346/.438/.640). He also scored 129 runs, launched 32 homers, and drove in 80 runs. He added 30 steals to complete his all-around excellence.

New York Yankees
Hank Aaron Award nominee: Giancarlo Stanton (705 PA, 127 wRC+)
Best hitter by wRC+: Aaron Judge (498 PA, 149 wRC+)

Stanton has the big power totals, with 102 R, 38 HR and 100 RBI, but Aaron Judge was a better hitter. Perhaps the playing time component was a factor. Two other Yankees regulars were right around the same level of offensive production as Stanton—Miguel Andujar (606 PA, 128 wRC+) and Aaron Hicks (581 PA, 127 wRC+). In limited playing time, Luke Voit outhit them all (148 PA, 194 wRC+ with the Yankees).

Tampa Bay Rays
Hank Aaron Award nominee: Joey Wendle (545 PA, 116 wRC+)
Best hitter by wRC+: C.J. Cron (560 PA, 122 wRC+)

Joey Wendle had a great season and is a legitimate AL Rookie of the Year candidate, but Cron had a slightly better season on offense. Cron led the Rays in home runs and RBI (30 HR, 74 RBI). Wendle was the better overall player when you roll in his defense and base running, but the Hank Aaron Award is all about offense and Cron topped him there.

Toronto Blue Jays
Hank Aaron Award nominee: Justin Smoak (594 PA, 121 wRC+)
Best hitter by wRC+: Justin Smoak (594 PA, 121 wRC+)

Hey, hey, what do you know? They got one right! Justin Smoak is the Blue Jays’ Hank Aaron Award nominee and he deserves his spot on the list. The second best hitter on the Blue Jays this year was Randal Grichuk (462 PA, 115 wRC+).

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