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MLB NL Award Predictions

By Max Rayman

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals hoists the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals hoists the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Who is going to take home the hardware for the NL?

Despite being delayed, the 2020 season is looking to be full of surprises. The Dodgers have emerged as the favorites in the NL, while teams like the Reds have gone all in. The NL is stacked full of star power and it will be on full display once the season finally begins. Here is our prediction for the NL Awards.

Rookie of the Year

National League teams are promoting plenty of top talent for the upcoming season. Studs such as Dustin May, MacKenzie Gore, and Joey Bart are just a few who are predicted to make major league rosters this season. However, all eyes should be on Gavin Lux. Lux is the Dodgers top prospect and ranked number two overall by MLB Pipeline. There is a reason the Dodgers made him off-limits in the Mookie Betts trade talks.

Lux has nothing left to prove at the minors. Last year at Triple-A, he hit .392, with 13 homers, and had an OPS of 1.197. Lux was eventually called up at the end of the season and made the teams NLDS playoff roster. He even hit a homer in game one against the Nationals.

Prediction: Gavin Lux

Cy Young

Two of the best three pitchers in the majors call the NL home. Max Scherzer is one of them. After winning two straight Cy Young’s he was dethroned in 2018. He dealt with injuries in 2019 and will need to prove age hasn’t caught up to him. Enter Jacob deGrom. deGrom dethroned Scherzer in 2018 and has the opportunity to be the third pitcher ever to win three straight Cy Young awards. He would join Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson, who both won four straight.

deGrom is coming off of a monster season where he went 11-8, with a 2.43 ERA, and 255 strikeouts. While it was a step back from his 2018 season when he posted a 1.70 ERA. Over the past three seasons, deGrom is 36-27, with a 2.53 ERA, and 763 strikeouts, while holding opposing hitters to a .213 average. Keep a mind, deGrom has pitched his entire career in the NL East, which is one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.

Prediction: Jacob deGrom

MVP

Last season Christian Yelich was on the verge of winning his second straight MVP award when he fouled a ball off of his kneecap and was lost for the rest of the 2019 season. Cody Bellinger went on to take home the hardware. Now Yelich will be looking to prove the injury is in the past and he can still produce at the same high level.

In the off-season, the Brewers and Yelich agreed to a nine-year extension worth $215 million. With the season being delayed, Yelich has had extra time to fully recover from his injury. Once the 2020 season finally begins, all eyes will be on Yelich’s comeback. Expect Yelich to continue his excellence as the center of the Brewers offense.

Last season Yelich hit, .329, with 44 homers, 97 RBI’s and an OPS of 1.100.  Despite playing in only 130 games, he led the NL in OPS, batting average, slugging percentage, and OBP. Yelich will have tough competition as 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts is now in the NL. Betts will be teaming up with the reigning MVP in Bellinger to form the best duo in the NL. Despite this, expect Yelich to shine above the rest.

Prediction: Christian Yelich

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