2019 MLB Season: Handing out the hardware

Now that the 2019 MLB season is in the books, let us see who takes home the hardware.

If the 2019 MLB season is to be remembered for anything, it will be the dramatic increase in home runs. More players eclipsed the 20, 30, and 40 homer marks this season than at any other point in Major League history, including the Steroid Era.

Given that uptick in home runs, it is no surprise that there were numerous impressive hitting performances this season. Records fell by the wayside, with previously marginal players suddenly becoming viable hitters. Pitchers kept complaining about the ball, but Rob Manfred insisted nothing was wrong.

Yet, for all the griping done by the pitchers, there were plenty of impressive performances on the mound as well. History was made several times this year, with new additions to the three no hitter and the 3000 strikeout clubs. The ball may have been flying out of the ballpark, but plenty of pitchers were able to perform well regardless.

Which players were the most impressive during the 2019 MLB season? Let’s hand out some hardware and find out.

National League MVP: Cody Bellinger

The NL MVP race seemed as though it was destined to go down to the final day of the season. And then, Christian Yelich fouled a ball off of his kneecap, ending his season and handing the hardware to Cody Bellinger.

That is not to say that Bellinger wins the MVP by default. He has arguably been the best player in the league this season, leading the majors with an 8.9 bWAR. Bellinger has continued to move between first and right, although with the trade of Yaisel Puig, he spent more time in the outfield than at first.

That change in primary position did not affect Bellinger’s production. He produced a .305/.406/.629 batting line, belting 47 homers and stealing 15 bases. Bellinger was quite the run producer in the midst of the Dodgers lineup, driving in 115 runs to lead the team.

Despite having just 19 games of professional experience in right prior to this season, he acquitted himself well. While he is never going to be mistaken for a Gold Glove caliber player, he cost the Dodgers just one run while playing basically league average defense. As he gets more experience in the outfield, particularly in right, Bellinger could develop into a solid defensive presence.

The Dodgers were, once again, the best team in the National League. Cody Bellinger’s excellent season was a large part of that seventh consecutive NL West title.

Also considered: Yelich, Anthony Rendon, Ketel Marte, Jacob deGrom

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander already had a historic season, becoming the sixth pitcher to throw three no hitters in his career, and becoming the 18th pitcher in MLB history to notch 3000 strikeouts.

At 36 years old, Verlander is not showing any signs of slowing down. His resurrection since being acquired by the Astros has continued, as he has once again been amongst the best pitchers in the game. In fact, it is possible that Verlander had his best season in the majors this year.

The Astros ace had another year for the record books. He posted a 21-6 record with a 2.58 ERA and a 0.803 WHiP, striking out 300 batters with just 42 walks in his 223 innings. Verlander led the American League in wins, innings, WHiP, and strikeout to walk rate. 2019 was also the first time that Verlander has struck out 300 batters in a season, and 179 ERA+ is a career best.

It was not just the Verlander Show in Houston. Gerrit Cole also had an incredible season, and is likely to steal some of Verlander’s first place votes. Yet, for as well as Cole performed this year, Verlander was that much better.

Justin Verlander already has a Cy Young award to his name, and three runner up finishes. This year, he should capture that elusive second award.

Also considered: Cole, Mike Minor, Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn

National League Cy Young: Jacob deGrom

After winning the NL Cy Young award last year, Jacob deGrom stepped up once again, using a strong final month of the season to make himself a contender for the award.

For most of the season, the award appeared to belong to Hyun-Jin Ryu. However, as Ryu faltered down the stretch and missed time due to injury, deGrom continued to be the dominant force he had been over the past few years.

Once again, run support issues reared their ugly head. Nonetheless, deGrom had an excellent campaign, belying his rather pedestrian 11-8 record. He posted a 2.43 ERA and a 0.971 WHiP, striking out 255 batters in his 204 innings. deGrom led the National League in strikeouts and WHiP, and paced the league with his 7.3 bWAR.

These days, a pitcher’s win-loss record does not matter nearly as much when it comes to the Cy Young award. No matter how well a pitcher does, if their team does not score, they cannot get the win. That realization helped deGrom to the award last year, and it may well do the same once the votes are tallied again this year.

Jacob deGrom is the defending NL Cy Young winner. He may well hold that title again next year.

Also considered: Ryu, Max Scherzer, Jack Flaherty, Stephen Strasburg

American League Rookie of the Year: Yordan Alvarez

In just three months, Yordan Alvarez made an impressive case to be the AL Rookie of the Year.

He was called to the majors as a necessity, as the Astros were looking for more punch in the lineup as they dealt with injuries. At the time, it was thought that Alvarez may have a brief stint in the majors, a chance to experience what it takes to be a major leaguer before heading back to the minors.

Instead, Alvarez may never see the minors again. In those three months, he produced an impressive .313/.412/.655 batting line, hitting 26 doubles and 27 homers. He proved to be the power hitter that the Astros needed over the final three months, helping kick their offense to another level.

His performance was impressive, not just amongst American League rookies, but on the Astros as well. He led the team with a 173 OPS+, and was fifth in homers and RBI. While he primarily served as the Astros designated hitter in that time, he did perform reasonably well in left, handling all 11 of his chances without error.

Yordan Alvarez made a major contribution to the Astros run to the AL West. That impressive stint is more than enough to win the AL Rookie of the Year award.

Also considered: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Brandon Lowe

National League Rookie of the Year: Pete Alonso

Was there even another realistic option?

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What Pete Alonso did in 2019 was historic, setting a rookie home run record that may not be broken. Not only did he cement his Rookie of the Year case, but he also made a strong case for MVP consideration, and should receive some top five votes this year.

All told, Alonso produced a stellar .260/.358/.583 batting line, slugging a league leading 53 homers – a new rookie record – and 30 doubles. Alonso also proved to be solid at first, saving six runs and finishing fifth in assists.

It is incredible to think that, at the start of the year, there was a debate as to whether or not Alonso should even be in the majors. Teams had been keeping their young stars in AAA to set back their service time, giving them an extra year of control. Instead, the Mets felt that Alonso was ready in March, and gave him the chance. He rewarded that faith.

Pete Alonso had a historic year. There is no question that he is the NL Rookie of the Year.

Also considered: Bryan Reynolds, Mike Soroka