Predicting award winners heading into 2019 MLB season

It would be easy to pencil in Mike Trout for this award. However, voter fatigue is a real thing and unless the Angels make a run to the postseason, we won't see him get the award. If Cleveland takes advantage of its easy division and wins in spectacular fashion, then this could be the year when the voters take a shine to the star of the show for the Indians. That would be none other than Francisco Lindor (although he will start the season on the injured list due to an ankle sprain.)

While the AL side of the MVP race isn't exactly wide open, the NL's MVP race could see a whole host of players potentially take it home. This season it feels like Nolan Arenado could graduate from perennial Gold Glove winner to being considered the best that the National League has to offer. 

Would you believe that Chris Sale has yet to win the Cy Young award? You have to feel like his time is coming and if he has another excellent season in 2019, his time could very well be now. 

While all eyes may be on Bryce Harper and other additions that the Phillies have made over the offseason, their biggest contribution could come from a player who has been there for a while now. Aaron Nola has made a significant improvement in every season he's pitched and if he takes a big leap this season, it could mean that hardware is on the way for him. 

If you are being projected to be a major league baseball team's best player as a teenager, you're probably a shoo-in to be Rookie of the Year. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. already has nothing left to prove in the minors, and it's likely that he will tear it up once he gets called up to Toronto. Get ready for Vladito.

Last season Juan Soto lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to Ronald Acuna Jr. This season the Nationals could have another rookie in the running to win the year-end award. This time, it's Victor Robles who figures to be Washington's latest success story when it comes to developing talent. 

While the Red Sox got plenty of deserved shine last season, this could be the year when the Yankees surpass their hated rivals and return to the top of the AL East and the American League, in general. If that happens, Aaron Boone will receive his fair share of credit and that could include an award as well. 

After a tumultuous start to life as manager of the Phillies, it's probably hard to imagine Gabe Kapler being recognized as the top manager in the Senior Circuit. However, if he can reach the high expectations that this offseason has lofted on his squad, he'll deserve any and all credit that comes his way for helping to bring Philadelphia back to relevance. 

Last season Jose Ramirez took another step and became one of the most threatening power hitters in the entire game. The only knock on him in 2018 was that his batting average went down. While that's not a huge concern when all of his other stats looked great, that's still a stat that people keep in mind when voting for awards. If he can push that average up while maintaining his otherworldly stats in other categories, he should take this award in 2019. 

It's hard to believe that Freddie Freeman won a Gold Glove before receiving official recognition for his prowess with the bat. However, if he benefits from hitting in a stronger lineup this season, this could be the year when he could take a leap and mash at a level befitting of this particular award. 

Last season was a great one for Blake Treinen, as he actually received Cy Young votes and finished ahead of Edwin Diaz in that ballot, even though Diaz ended up winning the AL Reliever of the Year award. Edwin Diaz has switched leagues and if Treinen keeps up his level of performance, there's nobody in his way when it comes to winning this award.

Edwin Diaz managed to be recognized as the AL's best reliever while primarily pitching in a division that included Mike Trout and two of the best five offenses in baseball, according to wRC+, in the form of the Athletics and the Astros. He'll be pitching in a less imposing division when it comes to offense in 2019. Pencil him in. 

If there's anybody who's way too talented to be held down for long, it's Byron Buxton. He was limited to just 28 games last season, and he should be back and healthy for 2019. If he reaches the level that he did in 2017, he will be an easy pick for Comeback Player of the Year. 

Like Byron Buxton, this appears to be an easy pick. Corey Seager played only 26 games last season, and he appears to be healthy. If he bounces back, then this will be another shoo-in award. There's a reason why Kyle Seager used "Corey's Brother" as his nickname during Player's Weekend in 2017. 

Mookie Betts was already recognized as the 2018 AL MVP, but that shouldn't stop him from adding more hardware to his cabinet once 2019 comes and goes. He's excellent in all facets of the game, and that includes defense as well. If he improves his defense, then it's easy to see him swaying voters into giving him this award. 

Ender Inciarte has been delivering highlight-reel-quality defense for the Braves for a few seasons now. This could be the year when he gets recognized for his efforts by receiving the only glove that's shinier than a Gold Glove. 

Common sense would lead you to believe that this would come down to deciding between the two Platinum Glove winners from their respective seasons. If that's the case, then Mookie Betts would take this award in a bit of a nail-biter. 

J.D. Martinez exploded in 2018 and delivered the best season of his career for the Red Sox. If he can even come close to what he did last season, then 2019 will be another good year and one that will see him recognized as the game's best Designated Hitter. 

It's always tough to figure out which nine players will be recognized as Gold Glove winners, especially when there's a good chance that even decent-to-mediocre defenders will receive the award and not just consideration. Still, you can feel safe knowing that Andrelton Simmons will be one of the award winners. 

Over in the Senior Circuit, this could be the year when Lorenzo Cain gets recognition as a Gold Glove-caliber player. He came close in 2018 and if he continues to improve in the outfield, then 2019 will be the year when he joins eight other fielders in taking home a trophy. 

Similarly to how you can likely pencil in Andrelton Simmons for a Gold Glove in the AL, you can likely feel safe knowing that Jose Altuve is going to deliver a season at the plate that will earn him yet another Silver Slugger award. 

If Nolan Arenado is going to win MVP, then he'll likely need to win the Silver Slugger again. He's already got a vice grip on the Gold Glove at third base, so it makes sense that if he takes a jump in production then he could also start to become a perennial Silver Slugger winner. 

If the Phillies turn their offseason success into on-field success, then it should be a no-brainer who the Executive of the Year will be. If the award is based on actually trying to go for it during the offseason, and if we're judging by that criteria, then Matt Klentak will deserve all of the plaudits that come his way if the Phillies are lifting a divisional banner at the end of the season.