While it did seem like we would struggle to have baseball in
2020 for a period of time, Sunday marked the culmination of the regular season.
Major League Baseball overcame outbreaks and adverse conditions to reach its
destined conclusion. Now, as a member of the IBWAA, I needed to look back and
hand out some votes.
Just like the BBWAA, the Internet Baseball Writers Association
of America votes on all major award categories on a yearly basis. The results
will be tabulated and revealed at a later date, but here is what my ballot
looked like.
American League MVP: Jose Ramirez (runners up: Jose Abreu,
Mike Trout, Brandon Lowe, Nelson Cruz)
Ramirez posted 3.4 fWAR in 2020 to lead all players in the
game. Cleveland made a strong comeback into the AL Central Division race at the
end of the season, and it was on the bat of Ramirez that the White Sox met
their match. Cleveland’s lineup struggled to produce for much of the season,
but it was Ramirez that provided the spark and will be their leader come
Postseason play.
National League MVP: Freddie Freeman (runners up: Manny
Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Mookie Betts, Trea Turner)
What a story in the National League. The Atlanta Braves were
expected to be good, but Freeman was dealt a tough hand when contracting
COVID-19 and dealing with substantial symptoms. He mentioned being extremely
fearful in the midst of his illness and got a late start to Summer Camp. He
then posted a 3.3 fWAR on the season and trailed only Cleveland’s Ramirez in
that category across the entire landscape of the game.
American League Cy Young: Shane Bieber (runners up: Kenta
Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu)
Little debate needed to take place here. While there were
other strong pitching performances this season, it was Bieber that was the
cream of the crop. Not Justin posted double-digit strikeout performances in
eight of his 12 starts this season, and he gave up more than two runs in an
outing just three times. It was mastery each time he stepped on the mound.
National League Cy Young: Trevor Bauer (runners up: Yu
Darvish, Jacob deGrom)
Cincinnati looked to be a darling team this year, and if
they make noise in the Postseason it’ll be in large part due to their pitching
staff. Trevor Bauer takes down the ERA title and racked up a career best 12.3
K/9. He led the league in ERA+, WHIP, and H/9. In his final year with the Reds,
there’s little denying a nice payday is coming.
American League Rookie of the Year: Kyle Lewis (runners up:
James Karinchak, Luis Robert)
Chicago’s rising star was expected to run away with this,
but it was the Seattle Mariners rookie that jumped out to a quick lead and hid.
Kyle Lewis has plenty of swing and miss in his profile, but he played a great
centerfield while shower tremendous power with his bat as well. Adjustments
will be necessary down the line, but there’s little denying he was the cream of
the crop in 2020.
National League Rookie of the Year: Devin Williams (runners
up: Ke’Bryan Hayes, Alec Bohm)
Taken in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft,
Williams took his time getting to the big leagues. In 27.0 IP this year he
racked up a ridiculous 17.7 K/9 and allowed just a single earned run on eight
total hits. Dominance is what the Brewers got out of their stud reliever, and
it’s that effort that took him from unknown to award winner.
American League Manager of the Year: Kevin Cash (runners up:
Bob Melvin, Rocco Baldelli)
With the Yankees expected to run away in the AL East, the
Tampa Bay Rays capitalizing on opportunity was impressive. Reaching 40 wins and
posting the best record in the American League, Tampa consistently beat not
only New York, but Toronto and the rest of the division as well. Cash got great
seasons from more than a handful of players and the Rays have him to thank for
their position as the one seed.
National League Manager of the Year: Don Mattingly (runners
up: Dave Roberts, David Ross)
This season was always going to be one of unprecedented
proportions, but when you need to replace over half a team due to a virus
outbreak, you’ve got another thing coming. Don Mattingly not only overcame that
massive hurdle, but he guided an afterthought Marlins team back to the
Postseason. Miami could pose a threat in a three-game series, and their skipper
is to thank for positioning them there.
American League Reliever of the Year: Liam Hendriks (runners
up: Brad Hand, James Karinchak)
Operating as the closer for one of the best teams in
baseball, Hendriks got plenty of opportunity to perform in key situations. He
racked up 14 saves while posting a 13.1 K/9. He also owned a 1.78 ERA and had
an even better 1.14 FIP. All of the strikeouts, none of the free passes, the
Aussie continues to be one of the best in baseball.
National League Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams
(runners up: Edwin Diaz, Raisel Iglesias)
It was nice to see the Mets Edwin Diaz rebound from 2019 and
be in the running here, but the Brewers rookie was among the most dominant
pitchers the sport has ever seen with his work in 2020. He didn’t pitch the 9th
with Milwaukee having the services of Josh Hader, but Williams was often the
guy in key spots. His efficiency only fueled his dominance and taking home
another award here is only fitting.
