MLB awards: Mike Trout, Bryce Harper leading MVP candidates
Mike Trout, a two-time American League MVP, is on course for an unprecedented third trophy at the age of 25.
The Los Angeles Angeles center fielder was the unanimous choice in USA TODAY Sports' quarterly award rankings. A third AL MVP -- in just his sixth full season -- would match Alex Rodriguez, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Jimmie Foxx for the most in the junior circuit.
Trout is off to his best 41-game start of the season. He leads the AL in on-base plus slugging (1.205) and is second in home runs (14), second in batting (.343) and tied for third in RBI (34) .
In the National League, the early favorite is Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who won in 2015. Harper leads the NL in runs scored and has a .349 batting average with 13 home runs and 37 RBI. Two of Harper's teammates also finished in the top 10 vote totals -- Ryan Zimmerman (second) and Daniel Murphy (eighth).
There's a much clearer picture in the Cy Young race. In the NL, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw received near-unanimous support. Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel, winner in 2015, holds the advantage over Boston Red Sox lefty Chris Sale in the AL.
Here's a look at the top vote totals in our first balloting of the year (Voting by a panel of 11 USA TODAY Sports writers and editors. First-place votes in parentheses):
AMERICAN LEAGUE MVP (point total based on 14-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale)
1. Mike Trout, Angels (11) -- 154
2. Aaron Judge, Yankees -- 72
3. Francisco Lindor, Indians -- 63
4. Miguel Sano, Twins -- 53
5. Avisail Garcia, White Sox -- 38
6. Nelson Cruz, Mariners -- 33
7. Dallas Keuchel, Astros -- 26
8. Manny Machado, Orioles -- 22
9. Jose Altuve, Astros -- 18
10. Starlin Castro, Yankees -- 17
Others: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (12), Chris Sale, Red Sox (11), Corey Dickerson, Rays (11), Yonder Alonso, A's (10), Carlos Correa, Astros (6), Robinson Cano (5), Mariners, Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays (4), Brett Gardner, Yankees (3), Justin Upton, Tigers (2), Andrew Miller, Indians (1), Ian Kinsler, Tigers (1)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
1. Bryce Harper, Nationals (10) -- 149
2. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals (1) -- 94
3. Eric Thames, Brewers -- 76
4. Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks -- 61
T-5. Freddie Freeman, Braves -- 59
T-5. Joey Votto, Reds -- 59
7. Nolan Arenado, Rockies -- 46
8. Daniel Murphy, Nationals -- 27
9. Kris Bryant, Cubs -- 20
10. Mark Reynolds, Rockies -- 19
Others: Michael Conforto, Mets (10), Zack Cosart, Reds (6), Wil Myers, Padres (5), Jedd Gyorko, Cardinals (3), Buster Posey (3), Marcel Ozuna, Marlins (3), Justin Turner, Dodgers (3), Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (3), Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks (2), Eugeno Suarez, Reds (1)
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AL CY YOUNG (based on 7-4-3-2-1 scale)
1. Dallas Keuchel, Astros (7) -- 65
2. Chris Sale, Red Sox (4) -- 56
3. Ervin Santana, Twins -- 30
4. Jason Vargas, Royals -- 18
5. Carlos Carrasco, Indians -- 12
Others: Andrew Miller, Indians (2), Lance McCullers, Astros (2), James Paxton, Mariners (1), Dylan Bundy, Orioles (1)
NL CY YOUNG
1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (10) -- 73
2. Max Scherzer, Nationals (1) -- 31
3. Ivan Nova, Pirates -- 26
4. Mike Leake, Cardinals -- 25
5. Greg Holland, Rockies -- 12
Others: Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks (8), Antonio Senzatela, Rockies (6), Gerrit Cole, Pirates (3), Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (3)
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AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (based on a 5-3-1 scale)
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees (10) -- 53
2. Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox (1) -- 35
3. Trey Mancini, Orioles -- 7
Others: Mitch Haniger, Mariners (2), Yuli Gurriel, Astros (1), Jordan Montgomery, Yankees (1)
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (8) -- 49
2. Antonio Senzatela, Rockies (3) -- 33
3. Josh Bell, Pirates -- 9
Others: Manuel Margot, Padres (5), Kyle Freeland, Rockies (3)