The Major League Baseball campaign has just begun, so it’s a perfect time for Fantom Sports to predict who will take home hardware in 2024. A former MVP has excelled in the beginning of the MLB season and could win the award with a different team.
American League MVP: Juan Soto
Adley Rutschman and Julio Rodriguez will have cases for the award, but Juan Soto is our pick for the 2024 American League MVP. Soto is off to a strong start in his first season with the New York Yankees. Additionally, the Yankees began their season with five consecutive wins for the first time in 30+ years. Soto’s presence in the batter’s box and plate discipline has allowed him to accumulate more walks than strikeouts in his career, leading to a high on-base percentage. With the short porch in right field, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a career power year. He hit 35 home runs with San Diego last season, and it’s possible he hits more in 2024.
National League MVP: Mookie Betts
The former MVP is having a stellar start to the 2024 campaign, and he could easily take home the award. The seven-time All-Star finished as the MVP runner up in 2023, and he’s off to a hot start this season. As of April 5, he leads baseball in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, plate appearances, runs and hits. While Los Angeles did play two extra games, Betts has undoubtedly powered the Dodgers to a 7-3 record in the team’s first 10 games. He switched to shortstop this season and could add to his MLB season award collection in 2024.
AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal has silently been one of baseball’s best pitchers over the past few seasons. He’s the pick for AL Cy Young. George Kirby and Marcus Stroman were selected, too, but Skubal’s ability on the mound will be paramount for the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and beyond. He’s already delivered two strong starts for the Tigers this season, and he pitched to a 2.80 ERA in 2023. Skubal will have to get over is innings pitched. Skubal has never surpassed 150 innings in a single season, but if he surpasses that mark, there’s no reason he can’t win the Cy Young for an up-and-coming Tigers team.
NL Cy Young: Frankie Montas
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas is our selection for the NL Cy Young. Zac Gallen and Spencer Strider have a chance, but Montas will be critical for the Cincinnati Reds’ success this season. While he missed virtually all of 2023, he began on the bump for Cincinnati on opening day, and he’s delivered two impressive starts this season. In 2021, Montas finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting for the 86-win Oakland Athletics. If he can produce a full season for Oakland, he could become the first Red to win the MLB season award since 2020.
AL Rookie of the Year: Wyatt Langford
One year ago, Wyatt Langford was playing baseball in Gainesville, Florida, for the Florida Gators. Now, he’s one of baseball’s top prospects on the defending World Series champion, the Texas Rangers. The American League has many talented and intriguing young players, like the Orioles’ Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday, but the current No. 6 prospect in baseball (MLB.com) is our selection. Langford rose through four minor league levels in 2023 and raked during spring training. He’ll be the primary designated hitter for Texas, in addition to a rotational outfielder in an already loaded outfield.
NL Rookie of the Year: Jackson Chourio
While the Brewers lost some talent during the offseason, there’s still plenty of fun baseball to watch. MLB.com’s No. 2 prospect, Jackson Chourio, is one of those players. Other interesting names to watch include the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Blaze Alexander, San Diego’s Jackson Merrill, and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Milwaukee could be a sleeper pick to win the wide open NL Central division, but the 20-year-old phenom will be a must-watch in the Brewers’ outfield. He dominated in Double-A and Triple-A during the 2023 season, and his five-tool ability is intriguing for his rookie campaign.
AL Manager of the Year: A.J. Hinch
Detroit Tigers’ A.J. Hinch is our selection for AL Manager of the Year. Brandon Hyde, last season’s manager winner, is another potential candidate, too. Hinch is in his fourth season at the helm in Detroit, following five positive seasons, two World Series trips and one World Series banner with the Houston Astros. He brought the Astros to life during his first season with Houston, and if Detroit can win the AL Central title for the first time in 10 years, Hinch has a strong shot at winning the most important MLB season award for non-players.
NL Manager of the Year: Pat Murphy
New Milwaukee Brewers manager is our selection for NL Manager of the Year. First-year San Diego Padres skipper could be in the running, too, especially if San Diego outperforms expectations. As discussed before, the Brewers lost a decent amount of talent at the major league level. One of the things they lost is former manager Craig Counsell, who left for their division rivals to the south, the Chicago Cubs. Murphy has been Milwaukee’s bench coach since 2015, and he quickly replaced Counsell’s position. Milwaukee isn’t a favorite to win the division, but Murphy could win the award if the Brewers put together another strong season in the NL Central.
Outstanding DH: Shohei Ohtani
There are a few choices for MLB’s top designated hitter, including Marcell Ozuna and Yordan Alvarez, but this is Shohei Ohtani’s award to lose. MLB has seen so many incredible feats by Ohtani since his 2018 debut, but this season is different. Ohtani will only hit, and it’s tough to imagine him not being baseball’s top designated hitter. Ohtani has won two MVP awards over the past three seasons, including two 40+ home run campaigns.
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Mitch Haniger and Mike Trout could easily bounce back in 2024, but MLB The Show’s new cover athlete, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., is the choice for AL Comeback Player of the Year. Guerrero Jr. was a shell of his former self last season. Both his batting average and home run production dipped in 2023. At his peak, Guerrero Jr. is in the conversation for baseball’s top slugger. He smashed 48 home runs and finished second in the 2021 AL MVP voting.
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Edwin Diaz
It’s a unanimous decision that New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz will win the NL Comeback Player of the Year award this season. Diaz suffered a season-ending injury during the 2023 World Baseball Classic last March. However, Diaz converted 32 saves and threw to a 1.31 ERA in the 2022 campaign — the last time baseball fans saw a full season of his play.
AL Reliever of the Year: Emmanuel Clase
In another unanimous decision, Emmanuel Clase is our prediction for AL Reliever of the Year. Clase won the award in 2022, following a 42-save, 1.36 ERA season. The two-time All-Star has led MLB in saves the past two seasons. Additionally, he’s off to a hot start in 2024. Clase has made four appearances and closed out the game for the Cleveland Guardians in each inning of work. It’s possible that one of baseball’s best arms secures 50 saves for the first time in his young career.
NL Reliever of the Year: Evan Phillips
There are plenty of players who could win NL Reliever of the Year for 2024. Alexis Diaz and Robert Suarez are strong candidates, but Dodgers closer Evan Phillips is our selection. He became Los Angeles’ primary closer last season, and he completed 24 saves. Phillips already has three saves this season. He’ll be handed the ball plenty during high-leverage ninth-inning appearances at Dodger Stadium.
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