Predicting The 2022 MLB Award Winners (MVP, Cy Young, and Rookies of the Year)

It feels like it was just yesterday when we were all freaking out about the MLB lockout, and whether or not the season would start on time…and now here I am, talking about the end-of-the-season awards. It’s funny how time works, isn’t it? 

Unfortunately for you bettors, a lot of the awards for this season are relatively chalky–however, I love to give out some underdogs as well, so I’ll try to squeeze in some plus-money when I can. The odds I’ll be using are from various sportsbooks, but you can find them all here, thanks to this list of New Jersey Online Casinos.

While the award winners won’t be announced for a few more weeks, time flies when you are having fun–and what’s more fun than postseason baseball? So, remember to lock in these future bets before it’s too late.

Most Valuable Player (Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)

AL MVP: Aaron Judge (-10000)

Not only is Judge about to tie (and probably break) the all-time AL home run record, but he is currently on pace to win the AL triple crown, which hasn’t been done since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. In fact, if the season ended today, Judge would be the triple crown recipient. While I understand there are many angry baseball heads reading this that want Ohtani to take home the award for the second year in a row, it’s hard to ignore what Judge has managed to do from the plate this season. He’s on the precipice of 61 home runs, he’s hitting .314, he has 128 RBIs, and an OPS well over 1.000 (currently sitting at 1.118). Judge is the only acceptable recipient of the AL MVP award this season–Ohtani will have to wait until next year to get his hands on it again.

NL MVP: Paul Goldschmidt (-5000)

While I think this race is a lot closer than oddsmakers are leading on, Goldschmidt should easily take home the NL MVP after the season he’s had. While his home run totals are well out of the 60s, he still has managed to hit 35 dingers, all the while maintaining an average of .317. He’s leading the NL in slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+, and total bases, and he’s about to finish with his seventh career 30+ home run season. While it may not be as flashy as Aaron Judge’s win, it is just as deserved. 

Cy Young Award (Odds Courtesy of Ceasars Sportsbook)

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (-1600)

If it wasn’t for Shane McLanahan’s late-season injury, we could be having a different conversation here. Unfortunately for him though, there’s no turning back time–so it looks like the award is going to Justin Verlander. This will be Verlander’s third Cy Young Award, and could very well be his last. The 39-year-old pitcher has a player option at the end of this season, and retirement is well in the cards. However, if you were Verlander and you were still slinging the ball well enough to finish the season with a 1.82 ERA, why would you hang it up? Especially considering the fact that Verlander, who has been aging like a fine wine, is 55-19 in his last four seasons. 

NL Cy Young: Julio Urias (+2000)

I told you I’d try to sneak in some plus money, so here it is. The current favorite to win the NL Cy Young award is Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, who is 14-8 with a 2.32 ERA and 199 strikeouts. There’s no doubt that Alcantara has been lights out, and it’s even more impressive once you realize he plays for one of the worst offensive teams in baseball. However, what Urias has managed to do this season is equally as impressive. Urias is 17-7 with an NL-best 2.25 ERA. His strikeout numbers are low, currently at 157, but his control has been great all year, only walking 38 batters on the season. The committee may be more inclined to give to a pitcher on a winning team too, so I would keep an eye on Urias.

Rookie of the Year (Odds Courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)

AL Rookie of the Year: Julio Rodriguez (-3000)

I mean, it has to be J-Rod, right? While his odds are certainly the best, this isn’t to say there hasn’t been some tough competition. Behind Rodriguez is Adley Rutschman, the stud catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. In just 100 games this season, Rutschman has hit 12 homers and 40 RBIs, slashing .256/.361/.447. Rodriguez’s season is just tough to beat though, seeing as how he’ll just miss a 30-30 year in his rookie season. Rodriguez currently has 27 homers, 73 RBIs, 25 steals, and a .280 batting average.

Before I finish up, I don’t want to forget about Bobby Witt Jr. Witt has 20 homers, 80 RBIs, 28 steals, and a .257 average. His odds are +50000, which is think is embarrassingly high. 

NL Rookie of the Year: Michael Harris (-350)

The NL Rookie of the Year race is a bit closer, as Atlanta Braves Michael Harris and Spencer Strider are in a footrace to the end. I would’ve leaned Strider if it wasn’t for his late-season injury, so now I think this is Harris’ award to lose. Harris has been phenomenal for the Braves so far this season, hitting .305 with 19 homers and 62 RBIs.