Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah is one of three gunners up for the Cy Young Trophy in the American League.
On Monday evening, the Baseball Writers Association of America revealed the identities of the nominees for the four major individual honors in Major League Baseball.
Manoah had a strong second major league season in 2022. The 24-year-old went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA. He also had 180 strikeouts. In September, he was spectacular with a 4-0 record and an average of 0.88. These performances greatly helped the Blue Jays secure a playoff berth.
He could be the second Blue Jays player to win the Cy Young in as many years. In 2021, left-hander Robbie Ray earned this honor.
Manoah competes against Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) and Justin Verlander (Houston Astros). The winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 16.
In the Nationals, pitchers Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins), Max Fried (Atlanta Braves) and Julio Urias (Los Angeles Dodgers) are the players in the running for the Cy Young.
An MVP award for Aaron Judge?
Unsurprisingly, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is nominated for the All-American MVP. The superstar was simply dominant in 2022, hitting .311. He also hit 177 hits, including 62 home runs. He set a new league record for long balls.
Pick gunner and hitter Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) and outfielder Yordan Alvarez (Astros) are named in the same category as Judge.
In the National, St. Louis Cardinals third and first basemen Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt could become “MVP.” So does San Diego Padres first baseman Manny Machado.
Back in the American, Terry Francona (Cleveland Guardians), Brandon Hyde (Baltimore Orioles) and Scott Servais (Seattle Mariners) are the candidates for the title of manager of the year.
Dave Roberts (Dodgers), Buck Showalter (New York Mets) and Brian Snitker (Braves) could be rewarded for the brilliant season of their formation in the National League.
Among the rookies of the year, outfielders Steven Kwan (Guardians) and Julio Rodriguez (Mariners), as well as receiver Adley Rutschman (Orioles) are the athletes named in the American. In the other league, versatile Brendan Donovan (Cardinals), outfielder Michael Harris II (Braves) and reliever Spencer Strider (Braves) could see their first season rewarded.