MLB Award finalists 2021: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year candidates

Looking at the MLB Award finalists after they were announced on Monday night with analysis and all the info on MVP, Cy Young and more for 2021.

On Monday night, the finalists for the major MLB awards in the 2021 season were announced with the best players in the league from this past season, in essence, being in the final running for recognition.

These finalists come on the heels of the Gold Gloves being awarded on Sunday night.

Let’s get into the MLB Award finalists with some brief analysis for each award. But first, some information that everyone wants to know.

When are MLB Awards announced?

There are different dates in which the major MLB Awards are announced. Rookies of the Year the year will be awarded on Nov. 15, Managers of the Year will be handed out on Nov. 16, the Cy Young winners will be announced on Nov. 17 and, finally, AL and NL MVP will be announced on Nov. 18.

Now, onto the finalists.

MLB Award Finalists for the 2021 season

AL MVP

• Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
• Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

Despite the unbelievably good season from Vlad Jr., Ohtani’s historic two-way season in which he dominated all aspects of the game likely make him a shoo-in to win AL MVP.

NL MVP

• Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
• Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
• Juan Soto, Washington Nationals

Harper is the favorite in the minds of many, especially with a sustained absence for Tatis. However, it’s a bit curious that Braves slugger Austin Riley didn’t make the cut as a finalist.

AL Cy Young

• Lance Lynn, Chicago White Sox
• Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
• Robbie Ray, Toronto Blue Jays

For much of the year, Cole felt like a lock to win AL Cy Young. But with the Yankees hurler tailing off slightly and Ray coming on super strong, this one might be up in the air.

NL Cy Young

• Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals/Los Angeles Dodgers
• Corbin Burns, Milwaukee Brewers
• Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies

Scherzer is the favorite to take home this award after a dominant season with both the Nats and Dodgers. With that said, the veteran does have some stiff competition with Burnes and Wheeler, even if Scherzer still ends up winning.

AL Rookie of the Year

• Luis Garcia, Houston Astros
• Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays
• Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays obviously dominate this conversation and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t giving AL Rookie of the year to Franco after he came up and just lit the world on fire almost immediately.

NL Rookie of the Year

• Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds
• Trevor Rogers, Miami Marlins
• Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals

Carlson’s play with the Cardinals does deserve plenty of merits but Rogers was one of the bright spots for a down Marlins team, which might earn him some voter support.

AL Manager of the Year

• Dusty Baker, Houston Astros
• Scott Servais, Seattle Mariners
• Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays

It’s always hard to predict managerial awards but you’d have to bet that Cash will get a good amount of support after running away with the division in a year where he was supposed to lead a mediocre Rays team.

NL Manager of the Year

• Craig Counsell, Milwaukee Brewers
• Gabe Kapler, San Francisco Giants
• Mike Shildt, St. Louis Cardinals

Kapler feels like a borderline lock to win after the Giants led MLB in wins in the regular season. Though it would be ironic to see Shildt win the award after getting axed by the Cardinals.