As the calendar approaches opening day on July 23, many questions have been surrounding this upcoming season: Will Mike Trout stay in MVP form? Will the phenomenal two-way Ohtani have a breakout season? How will Gerrit Cole adjust while pitching in the Bronx? National League MVP: Yeli or Beli? Can the sensational Jacob deGrom three-peat? Will an unexpected name enter the award races?
To answer all these questions, here are my MVP and Cy Young predictions for the 2020 shortened season:
American League
MVP: Mike Trout
With already a Hall-of-Fame resumé, Mike Trout is still reaching his full potential. The generation’s most dominant player has three MVP awards and eight All-Star appearances under his belt and is looking to add more this season. The New Jersey native always on a show with his athletic feats whenever he’s on the field and even at the plate. There’s no stopping the proclaimed, “human highlight reel”, when hot. Trout’s pure talent is head and shoulders above the rest in the American League. Many see an easy path to yet another MVP for the 28 year old.
Honorable Mentions: Gleyber Torres, Shohei Ohtani
Cy Young: Gerrit Cole
The most anticipated player in all of baseball, Gerrit Cole, has grand expectations set on him this coming season. The former Houston Astros’ ace led the American League with 2.50 ERA and led all of baseball in strikeouts with 326, last season. Recently signing with the New York Yankees for a record deal of nine-year, $324 million contract, Cole looks to prove he truly worth his historic contract money. Cole is the heavy favorite to take home his first Cy Young award this season.
Honorable Mentions: Shane Bieber, Blake Snell
National League
MVP: Christian Yelich
The 2018 National League MVP, Christian Yelich, looks to add another to his collection this season with the Brewers this season. Having last season cut short due to injury, the face of the Brewers franchise looks to bounce back in return. Leading the National League in the past two seasons in Batting Average, Slugging and OPS, the power bat of Yelich is just getting started. The battle for MVP between Yelich (Yeli) and Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger (Belli) will certainly be one to watch for this season.
Honorable Mentions: Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant
Cy Young: Max Scherzer
Sadly, Jacob deGrom does not three-peat in Cy Young this season, in my book at least. Instead, the arm taking home the coveted award will be Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer. Coming off a historic World Series championship run, the most feared pitcher in baseball looks to never skip a beat this year. The 3-time Cy Young award winner looks to add another piece of hardware to the trophy case. The young Cincinnati Reds’ ace Luis Castillo could very well cause some turbulence in this race.
Honorable Mentions: Luis Castillo, Jacob deGrom
Image: Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP / Shutterstock
