2024 American League Award Predictions

Photo Credit - Rich Pilling/MLB via Getty Images

Today I am putting out my final end-of-year award predictions in the American League for the world to see and laugh at. Season-long predictions are tough so I expect to be way off on some of these come year’s end but they are fun and I am going to do it anyway! Let us jump right in with the fresh meat. 

American League - Rookie of the Year

The Field Considered: Evan Carter, Jackson Holliday, Junior Caminero, Colt Keith, Nolan Schanuel, Parker Meadows, Wilyer Abreu, Colton Cowser, Kyle Manzardo

Prediction: Wyatt Langford

Need I say more about this kid that the internet isn’t already drooling over? He is a specimen. He will be up on opening day (which is a HUGE factor) for me in predicting ROY awards. Playing time is necessary not only for counting stats but getting a grasp on MLB pitching. Langford’s biggest concern is the sample size. I agree that Langford’s professional career is short-lived but he has passed every test given and then some. I expect Langford to be a staple in this Texas offense for the foreseeable future and think he will get acclimated to the league before his other fellow rookies.

American League - Manager of the Year

The Field Considered: Matt Quatraro (KCR), AJ Hinch (DET), Stephen Vogt (CLE), Scott Servais (SEA), Ron Washington (LAA), Aaron Boone (NYY)

Prediction: Kevin Cash (TBR)

Cash gets it done year in and year out with a laughable budget. He has already claimed 2x Manager of the Year Awards during his reign as the Tampa Bay skipper. He is one of my favorite managers to watch in all of baseball and that should say something since my team is in the same division as Cash’s Rays. "I got a whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98 mph. Period." - this might be my favorite quote from Cash and he is exactly right. He attacks lineups with aggressive pitching and strategic platooning. Honestly, some of the baseball out there is played when Cash is managing the ball club. 

American League - Reliever of the Year

The Field Considered: Emmanuel Clase, Andres Munoz, Clay Holmes, Jose Leclerc, Alex Lange, Carlos Estevez, Matt Brash, Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressley, Gregory Santos

Prediction: Josh Hader

The Astros going after and acquiring Josh Hader might be the most under-the-radar acquisition of the off-season. Why do I say this? Do people realize that 29 MLB general managers just let the Houston Astros get the best reliever in baseball on their team? Hader has won Reliever of the Year 3x already and he is still 29 (30th Birthday = April 7th). In my opinion, he will now be on the best team in the American League and he owns the 9th inning. I can’t see anyone racking up more saves than Hader this year and I think that career 2.50 ERA will carry him to his 4th Reliever of the Year Award.

American League - Cy Young

The Field Considered: Kevin Gausman, Framber Valdez, Tarik Skubal, Cole Ragans, Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Grayson Rodriguez, Logan Gilbert, Gerrit Cole, Shane Bieber

Prediction: Corbin Burnes

Corbin Burnes may be the missing piece that Baltimore needs to get over the hump to win a so coveted World Series trophy. Still, on the better side of 30, Burnes will be in peak form this year and will lead the charge as the Ace for the Orioles rotation. This team desperately needs production from their starting pitching, especially after losing Kyle Bradish to injury. Who is better to call upon than a guy who has already won a Cy Young Award? Coming off of 3x straight All-Star seasons and finishing as a Top 8 vote-getter for the Cy Young from 2021-2023, I think the Orioles went out and made the decision to acquire Burners from the Brewers with the intention of him just coming to Camden Yards and dicing up opposing lineups. The lineup will provide plenty of run support and Burnes’ counting numbers are just insane. In 2023 alone we saw Burnes throw for 193 and ⅔ innings while racking up 200 strikeouts. Career 3.26 ERA…yeah Burnes is my bet to take home the Cy Young this year, 2nd in his career. Will Burnes become the 8th pitcher ever to win a Cy Young in both American and National leagues? I sure hope so. 

American League - Most Valuable Player 

The Field Considered: Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Corey Seager, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Bobby Witt Jr., Mike Trout, Gunnar Henderson, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jose Ramirez

Prediction: Julio Rodriguez

Julio has ascended into the elite player category in baseball over the past seasons. Heading into year 3, Rodriguez has hit 60 career bombs, 178 RBIs, 62 SB and to top it off he has finished top 7 in MVP voting in back-to-back years. I think he will take another jump as he is only 23 years old. Not to mention half of the field has other players that are same caliber on their teams already.