MLB awards 2022: Full list of finalists, winners for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and more

By | November 14, 2022
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The 2022 MLB season is over, and the Astros have been crowned World Series champions. Now, the only thing left to hand out is the hardware for the top players and managers.

This year, the awards could carry some extra significance for a few players in particular. AL MVP finalist Aaron Judge and AL Cy Young finalist Justin Verlander are both free agents, and while an award is unlikely to drastically change the evaluation of teams of the two star talents, it would help to bolster the resumes of the two as they look for new deals.

Several of the races this year appear to be well locked up. Check just about any odds site, and they’ll tell you Judge and Verlander are heavy favorites to win their respective awards, as are NL Cy Young finalist Sandy Alcantara and NL MVP finalist Paul Goldschmidt. 

But that doesn’t mean surprises won’t happen, or that the races won’t be interesting. Both Rookie of the Year races could wind up being close between Braves teammates Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II in the NL, and former top prospects Julio Rodriguez and Adley Rutschman. And the Manager of the Year always remains an open field.

MORE: Sporting News 2022 MLB awards, as voted on by players

Here’s what you need to know about the Baseball Writers’ Association of America major award finalists and winners. Winners will be announced the week of Nov. 14 during two-hour shows on MLB Network, with one award revealed at 6:40 p.m. ET and the other at 7:40 p.m. ET each day. The day-by-day schedule is as follows:

  • AL and NL Rookie of the Year awards: 6 p.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 14 on MLB Network
  • AL and NL Manager of the Year awards: 6 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 15 on MLB Network
  • AL and NL Cy Young awards: 6 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Nov. 16 on MLB Network
  • AL and NL MVP awards: 6 p.m. ET, Thursday, Nov. 17 on MLB Network

NL MVP

Winner

To be announced Nov. 17

Finalists

Nolan Arenado, Cardinals: The first of two Cardinal MVP candidates, Arenado turned in his second straight standout season in St. Louis. He posted a .293/.358/.533 slash line with 30 home runs, an 8.4 percent walk rate and 11.6 percent strikeout rate. On top of his impressive performance at the plate, he won his 10th straight Gold Glove as he continued to display the best defense at the hot corner in the sport. His 7.3 fWAR ranked third in the majors.

Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals: On the other side of the Cardinals’ impressive corner-infield duo is Goldschmidt. The 34-year-old first baseman tallied his fifth 30-homer season in the past six years (the shortened 2020 being the lone exception), but he wasn’t just hitting for power. He posted an impressive .317/.404/.578 slash line with a 177 wRC+, which led the National League. Goldschmidt was the only player in the NL to appear in the top five in batting average (.317, third), home runs (35, tied for fifth) and RBI (115, second).

Manny Machado, Padres: Snapping the run on Cardinals MVP candidates is Machado, who is appearing in the top three in MVP voting for the second time in three years. Only Aaron Judge had a higher fWAR than Machado’s 7.4 in 2022. Much like Arenado, Machado combined stellar defense (95th percentile in outs above average) with one of the most feared power bats on a playoff-bound team. He launched 32 home runs and posted a .298/.366/.531 slash line, with his .898 OPS trailing only Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman in the National League.

Aaron Judge

(Getty Images)

AL MVP

Winner

To be announced Nov. 17

Finalists

Yordan Alvarez, Astros: Alvarez came up through the minors as a pure hitter who was as well-rounded a batter as they come. In 2022, the Astros got to see just how high the ceiling could be. The 25-year-old left-handed slugger bashed 37 home runs, posted a .306/.406/.613 slash with an OPS of 1.019 that was exceeded only by Judge across the majors. His 185 wRC+ was also second in baseball. And in an era where seemingly every batter subscribes to the three-true-outcome way of hitting, Alvarez impressively only struck out 18.9 percent of the time, and he walked 13.9 percent. He and Anthony Rizzo were the only two players to hit more than 30 home runs, walk more than 10 percent of the time and struck out at under a 20 percent clip.

Aaron Judge, Yankees: By all accounts the heavy favorite to win the AL MVP, Judge blasted his way into history in 2022, becoming just the sixth MLB player to reach the 60-home run threshold with 62 homers. But the leader of the Bronx Bombers wasn’t just a one-trick player. He led all MLB players in OBP (.425), slugging percentage (.686), OPS (1.111) and wRC+ (207), and was second in the AL in batting average at .311. Throw in well-above-average defense (82nd percentile in outs above average, per Baseball Savant), 16 stolen bases and impressive plate discipline (15.9 percent walk rate, 25.1 percent strikeout rate) and it led to one of the best seasons in baseball history (tied for 17th highest single-season fWAR by a batter in MLB history).

Shohei Ohtani, Angels: In any other year, Ohtani would be the runaway favorite to be the AL MVP. He followed up on his 2021 MVP campaign with a .273/.356/.519 slash line with 34 home runs and 11 stolen bases and 3.8 fWAR as a batter. But he was even better on the mound than his MVP-winning season. Ohtani pitched a career-high 166 innings with a 2.33 ERA, 2.68 FIP, walked only 6.7 percent of hitters and struck out an AL-best 33.2 percent of batters. Opposing batters hit just .202 against him. Don’t let Ohtani’s second season of two-way excellence normalize what he’s doing. He’s anything but normal.

MORE: Projected landing spots for top free agents, from Aaron Judge to Jacob deGrom

NL Cy Young

Winner

To be announced Nov. 16

Finalists

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins: It had seemed pretty clear from the time Alcantara had his first full season in 2019 to his improvements in 2021 that he could be on the verge of becoming one of the best pitchers in the National League. Needless to say, he took that step in 2022. Alcantara had the second-lowest ERA in the NL at 2.28 and led all pitchers with 228.2 innings, 23.2 more than the next-closest hurler, on the strength of an MLB-best six complete games. The 26-year-old also made batters work, striking out 23.4 percent of hitters while walking only 5.6 percent of opposing batters. And when they did make contact? Well, Alcantara rolled the fourth-highest ground-ball rate among qualifying starters (53.4 percent). 

Max Fried, Braves: Fried followed a standout postseason in which he helped the Braves win the 2021 World Series with his best regular season in the majors. The 28-year-old southpaw pitched to a 2.48 ERA across 185.1 innings of work with a 23.2 percent strikeout rate and 4.4 percent walk rate. Fried excelled at keeping the ball in the ballpark, allowing home runs on just a 7.8 percent per fly ball rate, the seventh-lowest among qualifying arms in the majors. Fried also ranked within the 90th percentiles in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, barrel rate and chase rate as he proved to be a difficult pitcher to make solid contact against.

Julio Urias, Dodgers: Dodgers left-handed Cy Young finalist. And it’s not Clayton Kershaw. Urias has started to really take the mantle as the next great ace in Los Angeles as he earns his first top-three Cy Young finish at age 26. Urias was dominant, posting the lowest ERA in the National League at 2.16, the third-lowest opposing batting average at .199 and third-lowest WHIP at 0.96. He also racked up the strikeouts at high rates, setting down 24.1 percent of opposing batters on strikes, while walking only 6 percent.

Justin Verlander

Getty Images

AL Cy Young

Winner

To be announced Nov. 16

Finalists

Dylan Cease, White Sox: Once a top prospect who appeared to lose some luster after disappointing 2019 and 2020 campaigns, Cease started to show what he could look like at full potential in 2021. He amped it up even more in 2022. Cease posted career-bests across the board, logging 184 innings and a 2.20 ERA that ranked second in the American League. Cease almost completely took the bat out of the hands of opposing hitters. He struck out 30.4 percent of batters (third in the AL) while also walking 10.4 percent of batters (highest in the AL). But batters also posted the second-lowest batting average against Cease at .190.

Alek Manoah, Blue Jays: The Blue Jays’ vaunted lineup of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Teoscar Hernandez often stole the show in Toronto, but Manoah was a major factor in the team’s run to the playoffs. The 24-year-old emerged as the team’s young ace as he posted the third-lowest ERA in the AL (2.24) and threw the most innings of the three AL Cy Young finalists at 196.2. Manoah excelled at limiting hard contact, pitching in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate and the 80th percentile in barrel rate. He struck out 22.9 percent of batters, while walking only 6.5 percent.

Justin Verlander, Astros: Just when everyone thought Verlander’s career was going to start to decline. Coming off Tommy John surgery that cost him most of 2020 and all of 2021, the 39-year-old delivered one of the best seasons on the mound in his career. He led the majors in ERA (1.75), WHIP (0.83) and opponents’ average (.186, tied with Zac Gallen). He struck out 27.8 percent of opposing batters and walked only 4.4 percent, with the walk rate being tied for the fourth-best in baseball. If he wins the Cy Young in his age 39 campaign, he would join Roger Clemens, Gaylord Perry, Early Wynn and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers to win a Cy Young at 39 years or older.

MORE: The 11 most intriguing MLB trade candidates this offseason

NL Rookie of the Year

Winner

Michael Harris II, Braves

Voting Results

Player

Michael Harris II

Spencer Strider

Brendan Donovan

Jake McCarthy

Alexis Díaz

1st Place

22

8

0

0

0

2nd Place

8

21

0

0

1

3rd Place

0

0

22

4

0

TOTAL

134

103

22

4

3

Finalists

Brendan Donovan, Cardinals: A first glance at Donovan’s stat line might deceive viewers into how he became a top-three Rookie of the Year finalist. He slashed .281/.394/.379 with five home runs and two stolen bases. But where Donovan truly excelled was in his versatility. He played at least seven games at every position except center field and catcher, and logged more than 30 games each at second, third and in the outfield. A true super-utility bat, Donovan excelled at forcing pitchers to work, posting an impressive walk rate of 12.8 percent and low strikeout rate of 15 percent.

Michael Harris II, Braves: The batter of the two Braves’ Rookie of the Year finalists, Harris put his explosive tools on display in 2022. The outfielder logged 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases, making him one of only seven rookies in the majors with double-digits in both home runs and steals and a single longball away from joining Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr. in the 20-20 club. Harris posted an impressive slash line of .297/.339/.514 to go along with his counting stats. But that wasn’t all. Harris also played Gold Glove-caliber defense, checking in at the 92nd percentile in outs above average, 87th in outfielder jump and 95th in arm strength. Impressive debut for the 21-year-old center fielder.

Spencer Strider, Braves: All eyes were on the impressive field of rookie bats in 2022, but Strider made sure at least one pitcher would finish among the six Rookie of the Year finalists. It was an outstanding campaign for the flame-throwing right-hander, who led qualifying rookies with his 2.67 ERA, 4.9 fWAR, 38.3 percent strikeout rate and .180 opponents’ average. Only two rookies — both in the AL — had a higher fWAR than Strider. The 24-year-old rookie’s strikeout rate put him in the 99th percentile, thanks in large part to his 95th percentile whiff rate and 97th percentile fastball velocity.

Julio Rodriguez

(Getty Images)

AL Rookie of the Year

Winner

Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

Voting Results

Julio Rodriguez

Adley Rutschman

Steven Kwan

Bobby Witt

Jeremy Peña

1st Place

29

1

0

0

0

2nd Place

1

18

10

1

0

3rd Place

0

9

14

4

2

TOTAL

148

68

44

7

2

Finalists

Steven Kwan, Guardians: In an era of high strikeouts, Kwan completely defied the norm. He struck out a minuscule 9.4 percent of the time and walked at a 9.7 percent clip. Among all qualifying batters, only AL batting champion Luis Arraez (7.1 percent) struck out less than Kwan. Of 2,643 pitches faced, Kwan swung and missed at only 91. In addition to the low K-rate, Kwan slashed .298/.373/.400 with six home runs, 19 stolen bases and won a Gold Glove in left field for good measure. 

Julio Rodriguez, Mariners: Stop if you’ve heard this before: a young, Mariners top outfield prospect sparked Seattle to its best season in years and appears to be the face of the franchise. Rodriguez had an electrifying rookie season, launching 28 home runs and stealing 25 bases with an impressive .284/.345/.509 slash line, while walking 7.1 percent and striking out 25.9 percent of the time. The 21-year-old outfielder consistently punished baseballs, finishing in the 92nd percentile in average exit velocity and 95 percentile in hard-hit rate. His speed had him in the 97th percentile, which in turn helped his defense in center as he charted in the 93rd percentile in outs above average.

Adley Rutschman, Orioles: It is often difficult to live up to the hype of being a No. 1 overall prospect in baseball. But Rutschman did that and more in his first year in the bigs. Rutschman wasn’t promoted until mid-May, but once in the majors, he made an instant impact, slashing .254/.362/.445 with 13 home runs and four stolen bases in 113 games, all while playing one of the most demanding positions in the game. Among all catchers, his 5.3 fWAR ranked second. But it wasn’t just his bat that drew the attention of scouts when he was at Oregon State. It was his glove, and he delivered defensively. Rutschman finished in the 79th percentile in pop time and 84th in framing. His 18 defensive runs saved was second all MLB catchers only to Jose Trevino, who was named the AL Platinum Glove winner.

MORE: The curious case of Minnie Minoso’s 1951 AL Rookie of the Year clock

NL Manager of the Year

Winner

To be announced Nov. 15

Finalists

Dave Roberts, Dodgers: Roberts continues his impressive run of Manager of the Year voting. The 2016 winner in the NL has finished in the top five now in six of his seven years as a manager, and after guiding the loaded Dodgers to an astounding 111-51 regular season, it’s no surprise to see him back in the mix. Los Angeles led the National League in both batting fWAR and pitching fWAR. Roberts navigated several key injuries to a pitching staff that saw 12 different players make a start, and a bullpen that lacked an ironclad closer after the departure of Kenley Jansen.

Buck Showalter, Mets: Maybe all the Mets needed was that veteran leadership at the helm. In 2021, New York watched a hot start fizzle away to a losing season. In 2022, Showalter helped the team to its best regular-season finish since 1988, going 101-61 and reaching the postseason for the first time since 2016. Showalter oversaw a shaky bullpen beyond closing sensation Edwin Diaz and helped a lineup that underachieved in 2021 produce a batting champion (Jeff McNeil) and a 40-home run hitter (Pete Alonso).

Brian Snitker, Braves: There continue to be few managers that navigate a bullpen as well as Snitker. Coming off a 2021 World Series run built on the strength of the relief corps, the Braves had the second-best bullpen in baseball, per fWAR, under Snitker in 2022 and had the third-best pitching staff overall. Atlanta won the NL East with a 101-61 record despite a down year from Ronald Acuna Jr., an injury to Ozzie Albies and the departure of clubhouse leader Freddie Freeman, with rookies like Harris, Strider, William Contreras and Vaughn Grissom playing key roles.

MORE: Ranking the top 89 MLB free agents for 2023

AL Manager of the Year

Winner

To be announced Nov. 15

Finalists

Terry Francona, Guardians: There are many reasons for Francona’s inclusion among the AL Manager of the Year finalists. Let’s start with the obvious: the underdog Guardians won the AL Central, and did so by 11 games over the heavy favorite White Sox. But it wasn’t enough for Cleveland to win the division. On the way, the Guardians became the first team in MLB history to start at least 16 different rookies and win a division.

Brandon Hyde, Orioles: Did you have the Orioles nearly making the playoffs and going 83-79 in the vaunted AL East at the start of the year? If you say yes, you’re probably lying. Under Hyde, the Orioles stunned the baseball world in surging from a 110-loss team in 2021 to a winning record in 2022. The Orioles had the 10th-best bullpen in baseball, per fWAR, and young standouts like Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson and Austin Hays continued to establish themselves as the face of Baltimore’s future.

Scott Servais, Mariners: Seattle snapped the longest postseason draught in baseball, making its first playoff appearance since 2001. That will certainly help Servais’ case. Plenty of the attention will go to rookie sensation Rodriguez, but Seattle got major contributions out of a young pitching staff, with its top two pitchers in fWAR being 25-year-old Logan Gilbert and 24-year-old George Kirby. The future is bright in Seattle with Servais in the dugout.

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