Yankees star slugger Aaron Judge continues to pace the early MLB award races with the weather heating up.

 

American League MVP

 

1. Aaron Judge, Yankees

Judge at the top of the early AL MVP race is probably the easiest to select as things currently stand. Judge is by far leading Major League Baseball in home runs with 22, hitting three more over the past seven days.

 

2. Jose Ramirez, Guardians

Ramirez nearly has as many homers (15) as strikeouts (16), and he’s been a massive reason that the Guardians have remained in the playoff picture and climbed back to over .500.

 

3. Shohei Ohtani, Angels

After a superb outing on the mound yesterday (seven innings, one run allowed) to finally snap the Angels’ losing streak, Ohtani gets the nod over teammate Mike Trout (who appeared to be getting back on track before a day-to-day groin injury) at No. 3.

 

National League MVP

 

1. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals

The National League player of the month in May continues to play extremely well. MLB All-Star voting is now open this year, and Goldy should be a lock to make the team for the first time since 2018.

 

2. Manny Machado, Padres

Machado had two RBI in back-to-back games against the Mets, helping the Padres get a big series victory over the NL East leaders.

 

3. Bryce Harper, Phillies

While he’s had to do it exclusively from the DH spot because of his elbow injury, Harper is totally locked in and had an “MVP moment” with his game-tying grand slam versus the Angels on Sunday. Harper hit five homers in the past week and has led the Phillies back into relevance after things were not looking good.

 

American League Cy Young

 

1. Alek Manoah, Blue Jays

Manoah worked around three walks to put up yet another quality start in six shutout innings of the Royals. The righty starter is now 7-1 with a 1.81 ERA.

 

2. Shane McClanahan, Rays

Following a season-best performance of eight innings (two hits allowed and one unearned run), Shane McClanahan deserves proper recognition for AL Cy Young contender status. McClanahan’s 98 strikeouts are the most in the majors.

 

3. Justin Verlander, Astros

After nine earned runs in his previous two outings, a few days ago against the Mariners was more like it for Verlander, who racked up 12 strikeouts in seven innings of work.

 

National League Cy Young

 

1. Sandy Alcántara, Marlins

Alcántara threw nine shutout innings to help the Marlins get an eventual win in extras over the Nats a couple of days ago. Alcántara has been an innings eater; over the past six starts he’s gone seven innings twice, eight innings twice, and nine innings twice.

 

2. Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers

Having a similar season to Manoah in the American League, Gonsolin has been uncommonly steady for the Dodgers. The 28-year-old has gone five consecutive games of exactly six innings.

 

3. Joe Musgrove, Padres

Brewers closer Josh Hader falls out of the top three after allowing his first run of the season (and his first in a record 40 innings dating back to last season) and suffered a loss in a stunning outing during which he allowed two homers to the Phillies, but he could easily work himself back near the top of the list. This week Musgrove and his 6-0 record with a 1.64 ERA get back into the top three after he flirted with a no-hitter last week.