The 2023 MLB postseason is underway, with the Division Series starting on Saturday.
However, it’s also awards season: the league, and even outside agents such as magazines, newspapers, and others, are recognizing the best producers of the season.
Soon, we will learn who will be the Most Valuable Players, Cy Young winners, Rookies, and Managers of the Year.
But first, fans have a chance to vote for the most prominent offensive producer in each league, as MLB announced the Hank Aaron Award finalists.
“Nominados al Premio Hank Aaron. Premio de MLB destaca al mejor bateador en cada circuito. 9 finalistas por liga,” Enrique Rojas, a longtime ESPNDeportes reporter and analyst, tweeted.
Nominados al Premio Hank Aaron. Premio de MLB destaca al mejor bateador en cada circuito. 9 finalistas por liga. pic.twitter.com/MXBUeex9ok
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) October 6, 2023
The translation of the tweet would be “Hank Aaron Award nominees. The award highlights the best hitter in each league. Nine finalists per league.”
The names are impressive: Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Yandy Diaz, Yordan Alvarez, Corey Seager, Kyle Tucker. Julio Rodriguez, Adolis Garcia, and Marcus Semien will compete for the prestigious recognition in the American League.
The National League nominees are Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Corbin Carroll, Luis Arraez, Bryce Harper, and Juan Soto.
The Hank Aaron Award is given on a yearly basis to the top hitter in each league and considers the votes of fans and members of the media.
It has been around since 1999, as the league wanted to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Aaron’s record-setting 715 home runs in 1974.
There is a lot of talent in both leagues, but Acuna and Ohtani are the early favorites to take home the award.
NEXT:
Famous Projection System Is Astonishingly Low On The Orioles