The process runs similarly to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America where 10 players are balloted for the Stan Musial Award (league MVP), five for the Walter Johnson Award (league Cy Young), three for the Willie Mays Award (league Rookie of the Year) and three for the Connie Mack Award (league Manager of the Year). The BBA also votes for three players for the Goose Gossage Award (league Reliever of the Year). The BBA requires a written post to validate the ballot so here it goes.
I’ll provide a short snippet about the winner after the list. Please note that these ballots were also cast for the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America of which I am also a member.
American League Most Valuable Player (Stan Musial Award)
- Mike Trout
- Jose Abreu
- Michael Brantley
- Alex Gordon
- Jose Bautista
- Josh Donaldson
- Jose Altuve
- Victor Martinez
- Miguel Cabrera
- Corey Kluber
American League Cy Young Award (Walter Johnson Award)
- Corey Kluber
- Felix Hernandez
- Jon Lester
- Chris Sale
- Max Scherzer
American League Rookie of the Year (Willie Mays Award)
- Jose Abreu
- Masahiro Tanaka
- Kevin Kiermaier
In July, this was Tanaka’s gig to lose. I would have had him in the Cy Young discussion as well. But, Abreu stayed mostly healthy and swung a big stick for much of the season.
American League Manager of the Year (Connie Mack Award)
This was another category which I could have flopped number one and two. I gave the edge to Scioscia for having to navigate the tougher division.American League Reliever of the Year (Goose Gossage Award)
The first two names were not closers for their teams but were undeniably the most dominant relievers in the American League. Betances was just a bit more dazzling in my view, edging out Davis.National League Most Valuable Player (Stan Musial Award)
- Andrew McCutchen
- Clayton Kershaw
- Giancarlo Stanton
- Anthony Rendon
- Jonathan Lucroy
- Carlos Gomez
- Buster Posey
- Yasiel Puig
- Freddie Freeman
- Josh Harrison
National League Cy Young Award (Walter Johnson Award)
Wainwright was excellent, but Kershaw was other-worldly. He was a virtual lock for a win and allowing less than two runs in his outing was practically assured.National League Rookie of the Year (Willie Mays Award)
deGrom had a brilliant second half and stole the award which many had earmarked for Hamilton. Hamilton can run, but he can’t get on base, so he’s a one-tool guy at this point. And unfortunately it’s a tool which goes unused too often.National League Manager of the Year (Connie Mack Award)
Williams got the Washington Nationals to put it all together running away with the NL East crown. Hurdle got a team arguably with slightly less pitching talent than 2013 back to the postseason and had they won the division, he would have grabbed my first place vote.National League Reliever of the Year (Goose Gossage Award)
Chapman would scare the daylights out of me in the batter’s box. I gather he unnerves plenty of professional hitters as well. With 100+ mph heat on a constant basis and results to boot, he’s the most feared reliever in the NL ahead of a remarkably consistent Kimbrel.So there you have it, all of my votes with a little explanation or clarification. Agree, or did I miss the boat? Let me know in the comments below.
Christopher Carelli is a freelance sports writer and sports media strategist. His baseball commentary has also been published on Yahoo Sports, the FanSided network, Sportsideo and linked multiple times on MLB Trade Rumors’ Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
