BBWAA Awards 2024: Finalist Announced and Reaction

Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesThe Baseball Writers Association of America unveiled its nominees for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards on Monday. Below we list out and analyze each finalist, starting with Aaron Judge who led all baseball in homers (58), RBI (164), OPS (1.159). Bobby Witt Jr. would likely win this award after hitting.332 with 32 homers, 109 RBI, 211 hits, 125 runs scored on them and 31 stolen bases at 31 steals for an OPS of.977 over 30 seasons with Kansas. Judge led all of baseball in both batting average and hits. Finally, his New York Yankees teammate Juan Soto hit an outstanding.2888 with 41 homers, 109 RBI, 128 runs scored and an OPS rating of.9989! Shohei Ohtani stands as an overwhelming favorite to claim this honor following becoming the first player ever in MLB history to record 50-50 season. He amassed 54 homers, 130 RBI, 134 runs, 59 stolen bases and posted an astounding 1.036 OPS while leading Los Angeles Dodgers to their best season ever and World Series win in 2024. Meanwhile, Francisco Lindor also excelled with 33 home runs, 91 RBI 107 runs 29 stolen bases for an OPS score of.844. Ketel Marte (.292, 36 homers, 95 RBI and 93 runs with an OPS of.932) wasn’t much different either – neither one could compare with Ohtani. Clase’s success for the Cleveland Guardians as an AL saves leader is evident by his 4-2 record, 0.61 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 66 strikeouts over 74.1 innings this season – it truly deserves recognition! Seth Lugo was the Kansas City Royals pitcher who garnered 16 wins out of 33 starts this year while posting an outstanding 3.00 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 206.2 innings pitched, notching 181 strikeouts along the way. Eric Gagne of Los Angeles Dodgers took home this award back in 2003 for their efforts. In 2024 – Seth Lugo recorded 16-9 records across 33 starts while posting 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 181 strikeouts across 206.2 innings! Tarik Skubal was instrumental to the Royals’ return to postseason play this season. He tied for MLB’s win lead (18), led all baseball with 228 strikeouts, and posted an AL-leading 2.39 ERA – all qualities essential in winning awards such as this. He posted an impressive 0.92 WHIP over 192 innings. Chris Sale is poised to claim one of the closest races ever for an NL Cy Young award; currently leading MLB with 18 victories and boasting an MLB-low 2.38 ERA. Zimm led the National League with 228 strikeouts and posted a 1.01 WHIP across 177.2 innings, Zack Wheeler being his closest challenger having led with an even lower WHIP (0.95) while compiling 16-7 record, 2.57 ERA and 200 strikeouts over 200 innings played. Sale has the slight statistical edge, while Wheeler has 22.1 extra innings worth considering. Paul Skenes had an outstanding rookie campaign completing 11-3 with 1.96 ERA/0.94 WHIP/170 Ks in 133 IP. Had he been called up earlier, his stats may have skyrocketed. As it stands now, Colton Cowser may not have quite enough evidence of his great work to win this year, but there may well be opportunities coming his way in future years. Cowser had an outstanding season for Baltimore Orioles hitting.242 with 24 homers, 69 RBI, 77 runs scored and an OPS rating of.768; this performance earned him selection onto MLB Network’s MLB awards watchlist alongside fellow Yankee pitcher Luis Gil (15-7 with 3.50 ERA 1.19 WHIP and 171 Ks in 151.2 innings pitched and Austin Wells (.229 with 13 homers 55 RBI and an OPS rating). Debate over whether starting pitcher Luis Gil or everyday player contribute more. Skenes’ numbers cannot be denied; yet Jackson Chourio excelled equally well during 2024 by hitting.275 with 21 homers, 79 RBI, 80 runs scored and 22 steals while amassing 22 stolen bases at 22 steals per steal attempt and posting an OPS of.791. Jackson Merrill helped ease the offseason departure of Juan Soto by hitting.292 with 24 homers, 90 RBI, 77 runs scored and 16 stolen bases to garner an OPS rating of.826 – it would make him worthy winner here regardless. A.J. “AJ” Hinch led the Detroit Tigers back into postseason contention since 2014 with an 86-76 overall mark, ending their eight-year playoff drought by himself and leading them to exactly the same record and Wild Card status as Hinch did for Detroit. Meanwhile Matt Quatraro did his part by leading Kansas City Royals’ Wild Card campaign themselves and leading his team 88-73 record under new manager Stephen Vogt for Cleveland Guardians while winning another AL Central crown and setting an AL Central win streak during Stephen Vogt’s inaugural year on job for Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt’s first year on job 89-73 record under Carlos Mendoza after an exciting final day performance during 2017. The Mets also reached the National League Championship Series before being defeated by Los Angeles Dodgers.Pat Murphy led Milwaukee Brewers to an NL Central title — their third in four seasons — under his leadership of 93-69 record and three straight championship seasons under NL Central leader Davey Lopes; Mike Shildt led San Diego Padres to similar results after taking charge after their dismal and underachieving 2023 season under former manager Terry Ryan.