As the 2026 MLB regular season draws to a close, several playoff spots remain uncertain, but the postseason is quickly approaching. With the games winding down, all eyes turn to the awards race: will Cubs’ emerging star Pete Crow-Armstrong dethrone Shohei Ohtani as National League MVP? Can Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler claim the American League Cy Young Award? And who will take home Rookie of the Year, with Kevin McGonigle, among others, in contention?
Though official results won’t come until November, CBS Sports MLB analysts share their September predictions:
American League
Axisa voices some skepticism about Yordan Alvarez as MVP, highlighting strong performances from Junior Caminero and Cam Schlittler as well. However, Alvarez’s pivotal role in keeping the Astros competitive, especially in a weak AL West, gives him the edge. Schlittler is the clear favorite for Cy Young, boasting an impressive 1.94 ERA and leading innings pitched, supported by excellent underlying stats. Rookie of the Year seems to belong to McGonigle, who is among the top 10 players in WAR and has excelled defensively while switching between shortstop and third base.
Feldman agrees that Cy Young and Rookie races are straightforward, with Schlittler and McGonigle as clear winners. The MVP race, however, is tighter; Feldman ultimately prefers Junior Caminero for the value he brings to the Rays, crediting him for their strong position in the AL East.
Perry finds the MVP choice difficult between Schlittler and Alvarez, with a nod to Caminero as well. Perry leans toward Schlittler for his dominant pitching stats and workload, despite usually favoring position players for MVP. For Rookie of the Year, Perry believes McGonigle has checked more boxes than others, despite a strong showing from Parker Messick.
Snyder says Alvarez’s offensive dominance makes him a standout MVP candidate over Caminero. Schlittler’s stellar stats, including nearly 200 innings with a sub-2.00 ERA and 232 strikeouts, make him the obvious Cy Young favorite. Rookie of the Year goes to McGonigle, thanks to his all-around contributions, although Munetaka Murakami’s early season power was tempting.
National League
Axisa calls Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) the easiest pick for awards after Ohtani’s injuries dimmed his MVP chances. PCA has been the best player in baseball this year and would win overall MLB MVP if it existed. For Cy Young, although innings are valued, Jacob Misiorowski’s dominance in fewer innings earns him the nod over Cristopher Sánchez and Chris Sale. Rookie of the Year is debated between JJ Wetherholt for defensive prowess and Carson Benge for offensive improvement, but Benge’s overall game sways the decision.
Feldman agrees PCA is the clear MVP choice and praises Misiorowski’s pitching despite the Mets hosting two rookie candidates, Benge and Nolan McLean. While all four rookies (including Wetherholt and Sal Stewart) are worthy, Feldman leans toward Benge for his offensive and defensive growth throughout the year.
Perry says if Ohtani had pitched more, the MVP might be a contest, but PCA’s exceptional all-around skills and near 40-40 season make him the overwhelming favorite. Misiorowski’s dominance despite a lighter inning count stands out for Cy Young. Rookie of the Year is the toughest call, but Perry favors Wetherholt as an elite defender with solid power and baserunning value.
Snyder reflects on how the MVP debate was intense a month ago but is now a blowout in PCA’s favor, noting his exceptional five-tool skills and impressive WAR. Misiorowski remains the clear Cy Young choice over other contenders. For Rookie of the Year, Snyder highlights Sal Stewart’s historic achievements in traditional stats like home runs and RBIs as a compelling reason to pick him over others.
Fan Take: This award season highlights not just standout performances but also the evolving landscape of baseball talent, with young stars like PCA and McGonigle making a huge impact. For fans, these races reflect the exciting blend of veteran dominance and rising rookies shaping the future of the sport, setting stage for thrilling postseason action and beyond.
Source: www.cbssports.com
