As the MLB season enters the final week of July, there have been many incredible player performances that deserve some sort of recognition. Although the All-Star festivities allowed standout players to enjoy their first-half production, the major awards within baseball are truly reserved for the best of the best. In this article, I will examine which American League players deserve to win these awards, as well as other players who are in contention. Note that these statistics are as of 7/26/22.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

The most prestigious MLB award is the Most Valuable Player Award, which is bestowed to the most outstanding player in both leagues. The MVP race is typically as captivating as any in the sport, with this year being no exception. The American League boasts plenty of appropriate options, ones that have grabbed the attention of anyone that follows baseball and have stood out even among the best players in the game.

1. Aaron Judge

412 plate appearances: 5.1 bWAR, 5.9 fWAR, 185 wRC+, 3 OAA, 0 DRS, 0.6 BsR

There are not enough words to describe how phenomenal Judge has been in 2022. Since becoming an everyday starter in 2017, Judge has terrorized pitchers with his generational power and overall hitting ability. This year, Judge has become the best version of himself by playing above-average defense in center field along with maintaining elite offensive production. If the previous numbers did not do him justice, Judge is in the 100th percentile of average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, barrel rate, and also leads the major leagues with 37 home runs. Although he was arguably robbed of the MVP in his rookie season, it is appropriate that Judge has his best shot to win the MVP in the same year that the Yankees have a great chance of winning a championship.

2. Shohei Ohtani

93.1 innings pitched: 2.9 bWAR, 3.0 fWAR, 2.80 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 2.43 SIERA, 29.8 K-BB%

399 plate appearances: 1.7 bWAR, 1.8 fWAR, 131 wRC+, 0.4 BsR

Many fans wondered how Shotime would follow up his 2021 AL MVP campaign. It is only natural that the most talented player in baseball history is once again in the thick of the Most Valuable Player discussion. The Ohtani discourse surrounding him both hitting and pitching at an elite level is rampant, but I find it interesting how this year’s dominance has primarily stemmed from his amazing pitching performances instead of otherworldly offensive production like in 2021. It is almost impossible to compare Ohtani’s value to other players, and him repeating as MVP would come to no one’s surprise.

3. Yordan Álvarez

333 plate appearances: 4.4 bWAR, 4.4 fWAR, 196 wRC+, -3 OAA, 3 DRS, -0.9 BsR

Watching Álvarez in the batter’s box must be how the previous generation felt when Barry Bonds stepped to the plate. Although Air Yordan does not have quite the same level of plate discipline as the greatest hitter who ever lived, his pure power and intimidation is truly a sight to see. His 196 wRC+ leads all of MLB, being higher than presumptive MVP favorites Judge and Paul Goldschmidt in the National League. The fact that Álvarez is in Most Valuable Player contention while primarily starting at designated hitter and having less volume than the other candidates is remarkable.

Other notable names: Rafael Devers, José Ramírez, Mike Trout

CY YOUNG AWARD

What truly goes into determining the best pitcher over any given season? In my mind, the two most important factors in the Cy Young race are volume and run prevention. Volume is obvious, as those who get more outs inherently produce more value, and getting those batters out without allowing runs to score is the objective for all pitchers in the sport. For the purposes of this award, actual run prevention is more important than expected run prevention because real results should take precedence over hypotheticals.

1. Shane McClanahan

110.2 innings pitched: 3.8 bWAR, 3.2 fWAR, 1.71 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 2.20 SIERA, 31.1 K-BB%

McClanahan starting the 2022 All-Star Game in Dodger Stadium is a much better indicator of how dominant he has been this season than how that start actually turned out. He has combined sizable volume for a struggling Rays team with the best run prevention in the American League. Leading all American League starters in bWAR, ERA, and K-BB% should make McClanahan a straightforward choice for this award.

2. Justin Verlander

116.1 innings pitched: 3.4 bWAR, 3.1 fWAR, 1.86 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 3.29 SIERA, 21.4 K-BB%

Like a fine wine, Verlander only gets better with age. Following a Cy Young campaign and World Series run in 2019, JV proceeded to pitch just six total innings in the next two years combined, undergoing Tommy John surgery in the middle of the 2020 season. However, he has remarkably returned to the mound this season resembling his old self! Boasting a sub-2 ERA with strong K numbers and good peripherals to back his production up is most impressive for a 39-year-old.

3. Dylan Cease

110.2 innings pitched: 3.6 bWAR, 3.1 fWAR, 2.03 ERA, 2.66 FIP, 3.18 SIERA, 22.8 K-BB%

The most shocking All-Star snub of my baseball fandom is also right in contention for the Cy Young Award. Cease has carried an underperforming White Sox rotation all season long, hovering around a 2 ERA and racking up the most total strikeouts of all MLB starters. The one area that is holding him back from potentially finishing first is walks; he also leads baseball in that department. Regardless of that number, Cease has been amazing and should have already earned some recognition.

Other notable names: Alek Manoah, Martín Pérez, Nestor Cortes Jr.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Major League Baseball is a notoriously tough league for young players, as even the best prospects in each draft class must first progress through the minor leagues prior to impacting their team at the MLB level. This season’s crop of rookies within the American League has been nothing short of spectacular, with predictable headliners at the top and a multitude of others that have stepped in and contributed effectively.

1. Julio Rodríguez

380 plate appearances: 3.6 bWAR, 2.9 fWAR, 134 wRC+, 5 OAA, 2 DRS, 2.1 BsR

While it was quite fun to see the JRod Show amaze Los Angeles and audiences throughout the world with his Home Run Derby performance, that event only reflects one component of his game. After entering the season as the #1 prospect in all of baseball due to his five-tool ability, Rodríguez has already become a legitimate star player by excelling against major-league pitching, showing off his elite defense in center field, and contributing in a big way on the basepaths. Baseball fans should be delighted to see how the rest of his career unfolds.

2. Jeremy Peña

311 plate appearances: 3.4 bWAR, 2.7 fWAR, 120 wRC+, 9 OAA, 9 DRS, 1.3 BsR

So the Houston Astros lost arguably the best MLB shortstop in free agency? Surely they did not have someone capable of replacing his production waiting in the wings. SPOILER ALERT: they did. It is almost comical to watch Peña impact the Astros on a daily basis. His season has consisted of defensive gems, walk-off home runs, hustle plays, and more defensive gems. The Rookie of the Year race is exclusively between Rodríguez and Peña at this point, which becomes even more interesting by considering the potential playoff implications they can each have in the same division.

3. Steven Kwan

342 plate appearances: 2.3 bWAR, 1.8 fWAR, 115 wRC+, 4 OAA, 6 DRS, 1.4 BsR

Kwan is a very, very good baseball player. Although he does not possess the same star power that the previous two have, he has seamlessly fit into a Guardians lineup that prides themselves on making contact and playing as hard as they possibly can. Kwan exemplifies this philosophy, whiffing at less than four percent of pitches that he swings at in the strike zone and not chasing bad pitches in general. Another interesting component in his game is defense, considering he has been a negative in right field but overwhelmingly positive in left field. The Guardians will certainly enjoy Kwan’s services throughout this decade.

Other notable names: Adley Rutschman, Joe Ryan, Bobby Witt Jr.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Out of all the awards on here, choosing the best manager in the American League is the most subjective. The debate can either prioritize who manages the best teams, or who has led their teams to surprising success. I personally lean towards the latter, as the worst manager in baseball with the most talent would be far more successful than the best manager in baseball with the least talent. For these rankings, I will juxtapose teams’ current records with their projected records from the preseason to indicate how unexpected some of their seasons have been. My projection system of choice is Average Total Cost, or ATC.

1. Aaron Boone

Current Yankees: 66-31, 68.0 winning percentage

ATC-projected Yankees: 88-74, 54.6 winning percentage

Luckily, the Manager of the Year favorite both manages the best team in the American League and has led his team to more unexpected success than anyone else. When the Yankees re-signed Aaron Boone on a three-year deal last offseason, a significant portion of the Yankees fanbase felt frustrated due to him being rewarded after a brutal Wild Card loss and relative underperformance over the previous years. While he has still not led his team to the World Series as a manager, Boone should take pride in how much winning has gone on in the Bronx this season. The Yankees organization has seemingly maximized every player on the major league roster, with Boone being a strong source of that.

2. Brandon Hyde

Current Orioles: 48-48, 50.0 winning percentage

ATC-projected Orioles: 65-97, 40.2 winning percentage

The 2022 Baltimore Orioles were projected to be the worst team in Major League Baseball, finishing with a worse record than teams such as the Athletics, Nationals, and Reds. While this was a consequence of playing in a stacked division, the Orioles have flipped the script and currently sit a few games back of a Wild Card spot! This performance alone would have made any manager in contention for this award, but Hyde deserves major credit for his outstanding player relationships and leading his team to play inspired baseball.

3. Dusty Baker

Current Astros: 64-33, 66.0 winning percentage

ATC-projected Astros: 90-72, 55.3 winning percentage

There are a handful of options for this spot, and I am going with someone who manages the other true American League contender. In Baker’s three seasons managing the Astros, he has reached the ALCS multiple times and the World Series, with even more playoff success likely coming this October. It is tough to evaluate just how much Baker impacts a juggernaut like these Astros, but he should be in contention for the award based on this year’s resounding success.

Other notable names: Rocco Baldelli, Scott Servais, Terry Francona

ALL-AL TEAM

While Major League Baseball annually constructs an All-MLB First Team and Second Team made up of the best players in the sport, this upcoming team is obviously exclusive to American League players. I will use the same positional requirements as the official All-MLB Teams, with the most notable category being three outfielders instead of a left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder.

C: Alejandro Kirk

317 plate appearances: 3.4 bWAR, 2.9 fWAR, 2.8 WARP, 149 wRC+, 3.9 FRM, 5.6 FRAA, 5.7 CDA, -4.8 BsR

Prior to this season, Alejandro Kirk being the best offensive player on his team would have been a ludicrous proposition. Nevertheless, Kirk has been a revelation for a promising Blue Jays team with his ability to get on base and frame pitches effectively. Any star catcher would likely excel in those two areas, and Kirk perfectly exemplifies the position. A strong honorable mention for this spot is Yankees backstop Jose Trevino, who has been an above-average hitter this season while blowing everyone else’s framing out of the water.

1B: José Abreu

412 plate appearances: 2.9 bWAR, 3.1 fWAR, 147 wRC+, 3 OAA, 0 DRS, 0.6 BsR

Choosing between Abreu and Mariners All-Star Ty France here is truly a toss-up, as both players have been great hitters this season and respectable defensively. I personally lean Abreu due to his more stable offensive profile and above-average baserunning, two developments which have been unexpected for a 35-year-old campaign. Abreu’s newfound discipline, reflected in his much-improved chase rates and whiff percentage, has been crucial for his overall production.

2B: Andrés Giménez

305 plate appearances: 3.4 bWAR, 3.0 fWAR, 142 wRC+, 4 OAA, 3 DRS, 0.3 BsR

Arriving in Cleveland as a return piece for Francisco Lindor, Giménez had a solid but unspectacular 2021 season. A year later, he has nearly doubled his wRC+ to become the most complete second baseman in the American League, even surpassing star Jose Altuve! Giménez’s offensive improvement has stemmed from his more consistent power, as his average exit velocity, hard hit rate, and isolated power have all significantly increased.

SS: Xander Bogaerts

390 plate appearances: 3.3 bWAR, 3.7 fWAR, 133 wRC+, 1 OAA, 1 DRS, 4.4 BsR

While it might look like Bogaerts is as consistent as ever based on these numbers, he has experienced a very interesting offensive season. He has walked a lower percentage of the time while improving his swing rate at pitches outside of the strike zone and has raised his wRC+ from last year although hitting for far less power. Bogaerts deserves credit for improving his defense and baserunning to levels that mirror his early career alongside maintaining his signature hitting ability.

3B: Rafael Devers

380 plate appearances: 4.3 bWAR, 4.5 fWAR, 169 wRC+, -1 OAA, -2 DRS, 1.3 BsR

Devers and José Ramírez are both fully deserving of this selection, which is why choosing only one absolutely pains me. Although he was a really good player in previous years, this is Devers’ true breakout season as he enters discussions of the best players in the sport. Devers’ offensive numbers speak for themselves, but what makes him even scarier is his production against all types of pitches with a somewhat reliable sample size. Like his Red Sox infield counterpart, Devers has also made huge strides as a fielder and baserunner.

OF: Aaron Judge

412 plate appearances: 5.1 bWAR, 5.6 fWAR, 183 wRC+, 3 OAA, 0 DRS, 0.6 BsR

The AL MVP favorite makes this team? Who could’ve predicted that?

OF: Mike Trout

326 plate appearances: 3.7 bWAR, 3.8 fWAR, 167 wRC+, 3 OAA, 3 DRS, -0.6 BsR

At this point, it would be delusional to doubt the greatest player of this generation’s ability to play baseball. The world has come to accept Trout’s fusion of unbelievable offensive production, smooth center field defense, and blazing sprint speed as perfectly normal which reflects how great he really is. At just 30 years old, Trout is already a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

OF: Julio Rodríguez

380 plate appearances: 3.6 bWAR, 2.9 fWAR, 134 wRC+, 5 OAA, 2 DRS, 2.1 BsR

What better option to follow up the actual Mike Trout than the potential Mike Trout? When I said Rodríguez has already become a legitimate star, I did not mean that lightly. Looking at his season as a whole, realizing that his nightmarish April numbers are included in his 2022 totals is mind-blowing. Again, we should all appreciate JRod’s baseball prowess for the rest of his career.

DH: Yordan Álvarez

As previously explained, Álvarez is in the AL MVP race because he is the best hitter in the sport. This selection is a formality.

SP: Shane McClanahan, Justin Verlander, Dylan Cease

(Refer to Cy Young Award section)

SP: Alek Manoah

120.2 innings pitched: 3.5 bWAR, 2.5 fWAR, 2.24 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 3.69 SIERA, 17.7 K-BB%

The 24-year-old Manoah deservedly made his first All-Star Team this season, proceeding to entertain national audiences by enthusiastically striking out the side. This single performance reflects his combination of pitching ability and charismatic nature, making him one of the brightest young stars in the game. All four of Manoah’s pitches are effective, with his changeup results improving the most from 2021. Manoah should anchor the Blue Jays rotation for years to come.

SP: Martín Pérez

118.0 innings pitched: 3.4 bWAR, 2.6 fWAR, 2.59 ERA, 3.13 FIP, 3.87 SIERA, 14.0 K-BB%

Although Pérez moved from Boston to Texas this past offseason, no sane person thought he would have a fantastic season after hovering around league-average throughout his career. However, just like the Orioles as a team have proved so many people wrong, Pérez has become a valuable contributor for a hopeful Rangers team. His cutter alone went from an 11-run value pitch last season (higher is worse) to the second-most effective cutter in the majors behind only reigning Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes! Pérez is a universally heartwarming story.

RP: Clay Holmes

43.0 innings pitched: 1.9 bWAR, 1.5 fWAR, 1.26 ERA, 1.92 FIP, 1.39 SIERA, 22.5 K-BB%

Holmes has been a godsend for the Yankees since they acquired him prior to last year’s trade deadline. His Wild Card Game performance served as a nice preview for what was to come this year, as he has stepped into the closer role and absolutely shoved. Although Holmes has thrown his sinker over 80 percent of the time, it has been one of the best single pitches in the sport.

RP: Emmanuel Clase

39.1 innings pitched: 1.9 bWAR, 1.2 fWAR, 1.37 ERA, 2.16 FIP, 2.03 SIERA, 23.6 K-BB%

With a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, Emmanuel Clase entered the All-Star Game to close out the victory. He then struck out the side on ten pitches, which were all cutters with unfair velocity. This one inning of dominance is a perfect representation of Clase’s dominance and impact for a Guardians team in a tight divisional race.

CONCLUSION

July 26th, 2020 was one of the first game days within the COVID-shortened MLB season. On that date two years later, baseball fans have watched teams and players compete with each other for almost 100 games this year. With that in mind, we can appreciate the greatness some of the best players have already achieved while waiting in anticipation for how the rest of the season plays out. There are still award races, postseason races, and the ultimate prize winner to be determined. Thank you so much for reading.

Sources: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, Baseball Savant, Baseball Prospectus