It’s time again for the Heyman Half-Year awards, which come with no trophy, no cash payment and only a modicum of prestige, if that.
AL Most Valuable
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees, CF: He’s threatening records again. Best position player in baseball.
2. Gunnar Henderson, Orioles, SS: The tools are magnificent, the talent huge.
3. Juan Soto, Yankees, RF: He’s been everything they hoped for. Hitting savant.
AL Least Valuable
Bo Bichette, Blue Jays, SS: One of the game’s best hitters may need a change of scenery.
NL Most Valuable
1. Mookie Betts, Dodgers, SS: He won’t win since he’s out several more weeks. But anyone who can learn shortstop on the fly while continuing to hit like an All-Star gets it here.
2. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, DH: The two-time AL MVP stepped it up when Betts went down.
3. Marcell Ozuna, Braves. DH: Though the rest of the Braves great lineup is underperforming, he’s having a signature season.
NL Least Valuable
Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks, OF: The 2023 Rookie of the Year is experiencing an issue with high fastballs.
AL Cy Young
1. Tarik Skubal, Tigers. SP: Terrific left-hander was mentioned in trade speculation. Let’s hope that’s a joke.
2. Seth Lugo, Royals, SP: The $45M deal that looked like a reach turned into a bargain.
3. Logan Gilbert, Mariners, SP: The best of Seattle’s excellent young rotation.
AL Worst Pitcher
Mike Soroka, White Sox, SP: Injuries unfortunately derailed him.
NL Cy Young
1. Ranger Suarez, Phillies. SP: Philly’s No. 3 starter has been the best pitcher in the best rotation.
2. Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers, SP: Strikeout artist is well on his way to a career high for innings.
3. Chris Sale, Braves. SP: Yet another brilliant pickup by GM Alex Anthopoulos, who had Sale on his radar for years.
NL Worst Pitcher
Blake Snell, Giants, SP: Two-time Cy Young pitcher is a slow starter, but he seems out of sorts.
AL Rookie of the Year
1. Luis Gil, Yankees, SP: Until his past couple of starts, he was a Cy Young contender.
2. Mason Miller, A’s, RP: Will be one of the most coveted pieces at the deadline.
3. Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox. OF: Boston has several kids performing well.
NL Rookie of the Year
1. Paul Skenes, Pirates, SP: He wows ’em every start. An All-Star must.
2. Shota Imanaga, Cubs, SP: He may be tiring a bit from carrying the Cubs.
3T. Jackson Merrill, Padres. CF: Outstanding two-way revelation.
3T. Jared Jones, Pirates. SP: Only overshadowed by Skenes.
AL Manager of the Year
1. Stephen Vogt, Guardians: Did anyone see Cleveland doing this?
2. Brandon Hyde, Orioles: The 2023 winner is outstanding.
3T Alex Cora, Red Sox: No one thinks he’ll be back in Boston.
3T Aaron Boone, Yankees: Getting tested now.
15th Best Manager
Pedro Grifol, White Sox: It’s not his fault but …
NL Manager of the Year
1. Patrick Murphy, Brewers: They traded Corbin Burnes and lost Devin Williams and kept winning.
2. Rob Thomson, Phillies: Philly seems to have something special going.
3T. Dave Roberts, Dodgers: You think it’s easy managing with this sort of expectation?
3T. Brian Snitker, Braves: The losses of Ronald Acuna and Spencer Strider haven’t derailed them.
15th Best Manager
David Bell, Reds: This certainly isn’t what they expected.
