Aaron Judge and Soto lead Yankees’ charge in AL MVP race, rookies Gil and Wells in ROY finalists

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The Yankees have contenders in both the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year races, positioning them as a team rich in both superstar power and emerging talent.

Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ captain, is the front-runner for his second AL MVP award after an incredible 2024 season. Judge’s teammate, Juan Soto, is also a finalist for MVP, joining Kansas City Royals’ shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to round out the top three candidates. On the rookie front, Yankees’ young stars Luis Gil and Austin Wells are among the finalists for AL Rookie of the Year, competing alongside Baltimore Orioles’ outfielder Colton Cowser.

AL MVP race

Aaron Judge’s bid for a second MVP comes after a career year in which he hit 58 home runs, led MLB with 144 RBIs, and posted a .322 batting average and a 1.159 OPS. Judge’s incredible numbers helped power the Yankees to a pennant, and his offensive output has made him the favorite for MVP honors, with the winner to be announced on Nov. 21.

Juan Soto also enjoyed a sensational debut season with the Yankees, hitting a career-high 41 home runs and tallying 109 RBIs alongside a .989 OPS. Soto’s presence bolstered the Yankees lineup, and his free-agent stock has skyrocketed as both the Yankees and Mets prepare competitive bids for his services. Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned Monday that he will join the club’s delegation to Southern California for discussions with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, underscoring the high-stakes negotiations ahead.

AL Rookie of the Year race: Yankees’ rising stars

On the Rookie of the Year front, the Yankees see two of their brightest young players in the running. Pitcher Luis Gil earned recognition as Baseball Digest’s AL Rookie of the Year after finishing his first full season with a 15-7 record, a 3.50 ERA, and 171 strikeouts in 29 starts. Gil filled a crucial role in the Yankees’ rotation, especially when Gerrit Cole was sidelined early in the season. His impressive 9-1 start, capped by a 2.03 ERA over his first 14 outings, won him AL Pitcher and Rookie of the Month honors in May.

While Gil faced some fatigue late in the season, finishing with a 6-6 record in his final 15 starts as he surpassed his career innings mark, his overall impact was undeniable. His adaptability and durability added a strong arm to the Yankees’ rotation in a year marked by injuries.

Austin Wells, the Yankees’ left-handed-hitting catcher, also made his mark in his rookie year. Starting the season in a platoon role with Jose Trevino, Wells eventually became the Yankees’ primary catcher, hitting .229 with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs in 115 games. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Colton Cowser delivered strong rookie numbers with a .768 OPS, 24 home runs, and 69 RBIs across 153 games.

The AL Rookie of the Year will be revealed on Nov. 18, with votes for both MVP and Rookie of the Year submitted by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America at the close of the regular season. As the Yankees await the results, the presence of both stars and rookies among the award finalists highlights the depth and promise within the organization.

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