MVP Awards

Shohei Ohtani of the Angels was unanimously chosen AL MVP for batting in celebration of his historic season. In 130 1/3 innings, he hit 257/.372/.592 with 46 HRs, 100 RBIs, 103 runs, and 26 steals, while also finishing 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts. Slugger for the Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper became only the fifth player in MLB history to win NL MVP honors with two different teams, claiming the award in the National League after slashing. With 35 home runs, 84 RBIs, and an MLB-best 179 OPS+, he batted 309/.429/.615 (ESPN). When Senior Kailey Crotty was asked what she thought about the MLB 2021 MVP Awards she replied “Given that all three finalists are on teams that did not make the playoffs, this year’s NL MVP argument made me wonder about the notion that a player should win it because he helped his team get to the playoffs is not valid. The fact that none of the players were on contending teams leveled the playing field enough to look purely at the stats and base it on their individual efforts, resulting in a true most valuable “player,” which does not usually happen.”

Cy Young Awards

After a tough 2020 season, Robbie Ray was sensational for the Blue Jays, leading the Majors in strikeouts (248) and the AL in ERA (2.84), innings (193 1/3), and WHIP (1.045) to earn the AL Cy Young Award for the first time since Roy Halladay in 2003. Corbin Burnes, the Major League leader in ERA (2.43), strikeout rate (35.6), strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.88), FIP (1.63), and barrel rate (2.9 percent), continued to dominate after a historic start to his 2021 season, narrowly winning the National League Cy Young Award and ending Milwaukee’s 39-year Cy Young Award drought (ESPN).

Rookie of the Year Awards

Randy Arozarena followed up his spectacular postseason performance in 2020 with a complete season of outstanding play, becoming only the third rookie to go 20-20 and leading all rookies with a.274 average on his way to winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Jonathan India, the Reds’ first NL Rookie of the Year since 1999, emerged as a non-roster invitee to lead all Major League rookies in on-base percentage (.376), doubles (34), walks (71), runs scored (98), and games played (150). (.835) (YES).

Manager of the Year Awards

Kevin Cash became only the second manager in AL history to win Manager of the Year after leading the Rays to 100 victories and the league’s top seed. Gabe Kapler received 28 first-place votes for NL Manager of the Year after leading the Giants to a franchise-record and MLB-best 107 wins in 2021 (ESPN).

Gold Glove Awards

American League: C: Sean Murphy (A’s), 1B: Yuli Gurriel (Astros), 2B: Marcus Semien (Blue Jays), 3B: Matt Chapman (A’s), SS: Carlos Correa (Astros), LF: Andrew Benintendi (Royals), CF: Michael A. Taylor (Royals), RF: Joey Gallo (Yankees), P: Dallas Keuchel (White Sox). National League: C: Jacob Stallings (Pirates), 1B: Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals), 2B: Tommy Edman (Cardinals), 3B: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals), SS: Brandon Crawford (Giants), LF: Tyler O’Neill (Cardinals), CF: Harrison Bader (Cardinals), RF: Adam Duvall (Braves), P: Max Fried (Braves) (ESPN). 

Silver Slugger Awards

American League: C: Salvador Perez (Royals), 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), 2B: Marcus Semien (Blue Jays), 3B: Rafael Devers (Red Sox), SS: Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox), OF: Teoscar Hernández (Blue Jays), OF: Aaron Judge (Yankees), OF: Cedric Mullins (Orioles), DH: Shohei Ohtani (Angels). National League: C: Buster Posey (Giants), 1B: Freddie Freeman (Braves), 2B: Ozzie Albies (Braves), 3B: Austin Riley (Braves), SS: Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres), OF: Juan Soto (Nationals), OF: Bryce Harper (Phillies), OF: Nick Castellanos (Reds), P: Max Fried (Braves) (ESPN).

Aaron Awards

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the fourth Blue Jays slugger to earn the AL Hank Aaron Award, tied for the league lead with 48 home runs and led the AL in on-base percentage (.401) and slugging (.601). Guerrero had the most runs scored (123) and total bases (363) in the MLB. After leading the Majors with a.615 slugging percentage and a 1.044 OPS while batting.309, Bryce Harper won his second career NL Hank Aaron Award. Over 141 games, the Phillies outfielder hit 35 home runs and led the league with 42 doubles.