2018 MLB Award Predictions

Here are my predictions on how the 2018 MLB awards will play out.

- American League
MVP: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: Judge probably should have won this award a year ago and probably would have won it if he didn't have the post-All Star break slump for six weeks and if the actual winner Jose Altuve didn't get hot while Judge was cold. Judge will benefit from Giancarlo Stanton being in this lineup and my gut tells me that he has a decrease in strike outs from a season ago and don't sleep on Judge's speed and defense.
Runner up: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Cy Young: Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians: Kluber is the best pitcher in the American League right now and should be the favorite to repeat as the American League Cy Young. Kluber will get a ton of wins, strikeouts, complete games, shutouts, innings, and an outstanding ERA to get this award for the third time in his career.
Runner up: Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox

Rookie of the Year: Willie Calhoun, Texas Rangers: In a brief showcase in September after being acquired in the Yu Darvish trade last summer, Calhoun showed that he can flat out hit. He didn't use his rookie eligibility last year, so he's the pick here to take home these honors.
Runner up: Francisco Mejia, Cleveland Indians

Manager of the Year: Aaron Boone, New York Yankees: This feels like a safe bet pick here. Boone seems to be enjoying his job and is open to different ideas and will try some interesting things with the Yankees this season and he should do a great job in his managerial debut with his loaded team.
Runner up: AJ Hinch, Houston Astros

- National League
MVP: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals: I'm so tempted to call this a lock. Harper is in a contract year and will absolutely be motivated to get the big contract that he conveys. Harper will have his best season of his career and perhaps be baseballs best player this season and I won't be surprised if Trout vs Harper becomes a thing yet again.
Runner up: Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs

Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers: Kershaw is also in a contract year and will be motivated as well as trying to avoid injuries that have cost him perhaps the last two National League Cy Young awards. Kershaw is still the games best pitcher and he'll win this award despite some great competition.
Runner up: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

Rookie of the Year: Ronald Acuna, Atlanta Braves: Acuna will start the season in the minor leagues and will be called up some point this spring. He's bound to become a star in this game and will be a fixture in the Braves lineup for years to come.
Runner up: Scott Kingery, Philadelphia Phillies

Manager of the Year: Dave Martinez, Washington Nationals: Martinez was Joe Maddon's right hand man for years with the Rays and than with the Cubs and now is finally getting to get a chance to manage. He has a great team which benefits him and he'll do a great job in year one of his managerial career.
Runner up: Craig Counsel, Milwaukee Brewers