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MLB: MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year Award predictions

By Nick Stevens

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated by Jake Cronenworth #9 as they walk off the field after the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 31, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Tatis made a leaping catch that impresses Croenworth. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated by Jake Cronenworth #9 as they walk off the field after the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 31, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Tatis made a leaping catch that impresses Croenworth. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Across MLB, rookies have taken the league by storm in 2020.

American League Rookie of the Year- Seattle Mariners OF Kyle Lewis

There’s no easing into these award predictions. The American League Rookie of the Year race is clearly between Seattle’s Kyle Lewis and Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert.

Both are having fantastic seasons. Both are extremely fun to watch. Both deserve this award. Both have very bright futures in Major League Baseball. The arguments for either of these two winning this award are valid.

Lewis and Robert are currently tied for the AL rookie lead in Wins Above Replacement at 1.6 and a lot of the offensive numbers are fairly similar between the two, but Kyle Lewis gets the slight nod in this vote.

Through 34 games, Lewis is slashing .328/.418/.527 with eight home runs, two doubles, 29 runs scored, and 21 RBI. He leads all rookies with a 163 wRC+ and is one of only two AL rookies with a walk rate above 10% (minimum 100 PA). His 13.7% walk rate is nearly double that of Robert’s (7.3%).

With Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, and now Taylor Trammell all in the Mariners system, Seattle’s outfield could quickly become one of the most dynamic outfields in all of baseball.

National League Rookie of the Year- San Diego Padres IF Jake Cronenworth

No one could have seen San Diego Padres rookie Jake Cronenworth putting up the type of numbers he has this season. The Cronenworth hype has become real, so much so, it’s no longer called the “Tommy Pham trade” anymore.

Cronenworth leads all NL rookies in fWAR at 1.4, double that of Luis Guillorme of the New York Mets who sits in second place at 0.7 fWAR.

The former Michigan Wolverine is hitting .356 with a .411 OBP, a 175 wRC+, four home runs, nine doubles, and three triples for the Padres and has been a standout player defensively. Cronenworth has played all around the infield where he’s made numerous highlight-reel and game-changing plays with his glove.

A quick look at his Baseball Savant page will show you just how elite his bat has been this year. You would think those numbers would have come back down to Earth by now, but he just keeps hitting and just keeps getting better.

The San Diego Padres found themselves an absolute gem.

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