MLB Awards Predictions 2017: Expert Picks For MVP, Cy Young, Rookie Of The Year

There are plenty of opinions regarding what players will win individual awards for the 2017 MLB season, but a few candidates stand out among the rest. When looking at the expert predictions made before Opening Day, a handful of stars are being picked for MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year.

Last year’s winners in the American League and National League have a good chance to repeat this year. Most notably, Mike Trout is the most popular pick for AL MVP. He won the award for the second time in 2016, and he’s finished in the top two in voting in all five of his full MLB seasons.

READ: World Series, playoff picks for the 2017 MLB season

A few experts have chosen Kris Bryant to repeat as the NL MVP, and he might only be getting better as he enters his third season in the majors. He could face competition from a couple of his teammates on the Chicago Cubs, as well as 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper. Los Angeles Dodgers’ shortstop Corey Seager was third in the voting last year, and he has a chance to become the NL’s best player in 2017.

Not surprisingly, Seager’s teammate with the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw, is the favorite to win the NL Cy Young award. He was fifth in the voting last season because he missed time with an injury, but Kershaw has easily been the best pitcher of the last decade, winning the award three times.

In the AL, Rick Porcello is not expected to repeat as the league’s Cy Young. His new teammate with the Boston Red Sox, Chris Sale, appears to be the favorite. He’ll get competition from past winners Justin Verlander and Corey Kluber.

Just about everyone is picking Andrew Benintendi to win the American League Rookie of the Year award. In the NL, Dansby Swanson of the Atlanta Braves is the heavy favorite.