MLB 2022 Award Predictions: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie Of The Year Picks

Only two MLB players have won consecutive MVP awards since 2003. The Cy Young award has produced more repeat winners, though the race this upcoming season appears to be wide open in both the American and National League.

Here are predictions for the AL and NL MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards for the 2022 MLB season.

AL MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

The runner-up for the 2021 AL MVP, Guerrero is ready to win the award. Guerrero is the best hitter on the team that is favored to win the AL pennant. Guerrero met lofty expectations in 2021, leading the AL with 48 home runs, a .401 on-base percentage and a .601 slugging percentage. Entering Opening Day at just 23 years old, Guerrero might not be close to his peak.

AL Cy Young: Dylan Cease, Chicago White Sox

The young right-hander has improved significantly in each of his MLB seasons. Tied for an AL-best 32 starts, Cease led the AL with 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings a season ago. If his walk rate continues to get better, Cease could lower his ERA near 3.00 for the best team in the AL Central. Cease posted career-highs of a 3.91 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in 2021.

AL Rookie of the Year: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

There’s a ton of uncertainty when it comes to first-year players, but Witt is the closest thing to a “can't miss” in 2022. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft has excelled at every level of the minor leagues. After recording a .933 OPS in triple-A last season, Witt hit .406 in 32 spring training at-bats.

NL MVP: Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves

It was Riley, not Freddie Freeman, who had Atlanta’s highest WAR during last year’s championship season. With the star first baseman gone and Ronald Acuna Jr. still recovering from a torn ACL, Riley will get much of the credit if the Braves are able to compete for another title. The third baseman hit .303/.367/.531 with 33 home runs in his third MLB season.

NL Cy Young: Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s only a matter of time before Buehler wins the NL Cy Young award. The Dodgers’ ace has a 2.90 ERA in 573.1 career innings. Buehler averages close to 10 strikeouts and fewer than one home run allowed per nine innings. With Jacob deGrom injured again and Max Scherzer set to turn 38 years old, Buehler should be the favorite.

NL Rookie of the Year: Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds

The No. 2 pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Greene could shine in his first season. The right-hander has the sport’s strongest arm, hitting 104 mph on the radar gun in last year’s triple-A debut. Green had 139 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA in 106.1 innings between double-A and triple-A in 2021.