MLB Awards Prediction 2021
As games begin and the commencement of the 2021 MLB season, fans are getting ready for a 162-game season. There is a lot of speculation since there were a lot of different transactions and signings this season that are going to affect the whole league.
The National League had a lot of movement this offseason. Nolan Arenado getting traded to the St. Louis Cardinals makes them strong contenders to win the division. The San Diego Padres continued their development by trading for two ace-quality pitchers, Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. the New York Mets finally got a superstar after they traded for Francisco Lindor, acquiring a solid starting pitcher in Carlos Carrasco as well. The Mets hope to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. We cannot forget about the reigning National League Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer joined Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2020 World Series champion.
In the American League, the Houston Astros lost their long-time outfielder George Springer after he signed a five-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto added shortstop Marcus Semien on a one-year deal The White Sox continued to bolster their pitching by trading for starter Lance Lynn and signing closer Liam Hendriks.
The league has been shaken up and this could have an effect on who wins the awards.
Here are the predictions for the big awards in each league for the 2021 MLB Season.
Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts will join the great Frank Robinson as the only player to win the MVP in both leagues. Betts will lead the Dodgers to their ninth consecutive NL West Division title and win both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove.
He is going to hit 30+ home runs and steal 30+ bases while contending for a batting title. He is a five-tool player and will put up very impressive numbers for Los Angeles. The reigning World Series champions are looking to repeat as champions and that is only going to happen if Betts performs like the MVP he is.
Mike Trout
Mike Trout will win his fourth AL MVP. This year will be different though because the Angels will make the playoffs as a Wild Card team. This could be the year they finally put everything together and are able to be successful and win more games than usual.
Trout could lead the league in home runs and OPS easily. He is an on-base machine and will do much better with a full season of having another All-Star, Anthony Rendon, in the lineup. Trout’s numbers are going to be mind-boggling, and he will continue to add hardware to his collection.
Jacob deGrom
Jacob deGrom might be the safest pick for this award, since he won in 2018 and 2019, finishing third in 2020. deGrom is the best pitcher in baseball and will have an ERA right around 2.00 this season while tossing 200+ innings and striking out over 200 batters.
His velocity is continuing to rise, and his team has continued to build and bring in more talent around him. He will bring home his third Cy Young in the last four seasons and continue his pursuit to Cooperstown.
Lucas Giolito
The Chicago White Sox’s ace Lucas Giolito will win his first Cy Young this season. Giolito will be close to the lead for the most wins by a pitcher in the American League. He is beyond dominant and is capable of carrying a team and being able to go all the way and throw complete games, which is something fairly rare these days.
Giolito, 26, will strike out 200 batters at minimum without an issue, but he is looking to make 2021 his first 200-inning MLB season. He will help the White Sox win the 2021 AL Central Division. There are other strong candidates throughout the AL, but Giolito is going to put it all together this season and become one of the better pitchers in baseball.
Ke’Bryan Hayes
Ke’Bryan Hayes is one of the lone lights in the dark future of the Pittsburgh Pirate. Hayes showed that he has power and can hit for a high average in his 24-game stint in 2020. In his first full season, the sky seems to be the limit for Hayes. He is the ninth prospect heading into this season according to mlb.com
The 24-year-old third baseman was a first round pick out of high school in 2015. He is a rising star and is going to be the best player on the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, giving him a good chance to make the NL All-Star team.
Jarred Kelenic
According to MLB.com, Jared Kelenic is the fourth overall prospect heading into the 2021 season. Kelenic did not make the Seattle Mariners’ Opening Day roster, but that is mainly because of service time complications. He will eventually get called up to the majors and he will turn heads when he does. Kelenic, has the potential to be a five-tool player and a stud center fielder for years to come.
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Kelenic, 21, was a first round pick by the New York Mets in 2018 but was traded to Seattle when the Mets landed Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano prior to the 2019 season. New York fans were livid when they parted ways with Kelenic because he is a five-tool player that can perform at an All-Star level right away. The Mariners are looking for Kelenic to be a big part of their future.