Though the pandemic-shortened 2020 schedule marked the first time since World War II that Major League Baseball did not stage an All-Star Game, the All-MLB Team presented by CohnReznick ensured that superlative seasons were still recognized.
2020 MLB Awards
All-MLB Team
First Team
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees
3B: Manny Machado, Padres
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
OF: Mookie Betts, Dodgers
OF: Juan Soto, Nationals
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
DH: Marcell Ozuna, Braves
SP: Trevor Bauer, Reds
SP: Shane Bieber, Indians
SP: Yu Darvish, Cubs
SP: Jacob deGrom, Mets
SP: Max Fried, Braves
RP: Nick Anderson, Rays
RP: Liam Hendriks, A's
Second Team
C: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
1B: José Abreu, White Sox
2B: Brandon Lowe Rays
3B: José Ramirez, Indians
SS: Corey Seager, Dodgers
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
OF: Mike Yastrzemski, Giants
OF: Michael Conforto, Mets
DH: Nelson Cruz, Twins
SP: Gerrit Cole, Yankees
SP: Dinelson Lamet, Padres
SP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
SP: Kenta Maeda, Twins
SP: Hyun Jin Ryu, Blue Jays
RP: Brad Hand, Indians
RP: Devin Williams, Brewers
MVP Awards
American League
While helping lead the White Sox to their first postseason appearance in 12 years, José Abreu led the AL in RBIs (60), finished 2nd in HRs (19) and 4th in average (.317). He won the MVP six years after being named Rookie of the Year.
National League
After missing most of Summer Camp with COVID-19, NL MVP Freddie Freeman enjoyed an outstanding season for the NL East-winning Braves, leading MLB in runs (51), finishing 2nd in MLB in OPS (1.102) and 2nd in the NL in average (.341), OBP (.462) and slugging (.640).
Cy Young Awards
American League
The first unanimous choice in the AL since '11, the Indians' Shane Bieber dominated in 2020, setting an MLB record with a 41.1% strikeout rate, recording the lowest qualified ERA (1.63) since 1969 and tying for the lowest opponents' average (.167) since '69.
National League
Trevor Bauer became the first Red to win the award after leading the NL in ERA (1.73), ERA+ (276), WHIP (0.79), opponents’ average (.159) and shutouts (2). He ranked second in strikeouts (100) and strikeouts per nine innings (12.3).
Rookie of the Year Awards
American League
A unanimous selection for the honor, Kyle Lewis became just the second rookie to lead his team in average (.262), HRs (11), runs (37) and walks (34) and was a mainstay on highlight reels with multiple homer robberies.
National League
Devin Williams fanned a record 53 percent of his 100 batters faced, posting a microscopic 0.33 ERA and .090 BAA in becoming the first reliever to win Rookie of the Year since 2011.
Manager of the Year Awards
American League
Kevin Cash was named AL Manager of the Year for leading the Rays to their first AL East title since 2010 despite having 13 players on the IL on Sept. 1. Cash implemented 59 different batting orders in 60 games and tied an MLB record by using 12 different pitchers to record a save.
National League
Just the 5th to win a Manager of the Year and an MVP, Don Mattingly guided the Marlins to their 1st postseason appearance in 17 years amid a massive roster overhaul due to the COVID pandemic.
Silver Slugger Awards
American League
C: Salvador Perez (Royals)
1B: José Abreu (White Sox)
2B: DJ LeMahieu (Yankees)
3B: José Ramírez (Indians)
SS: Tim Anderson (White Sox)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (Blue Jays)
OF: Eloy Jiménez (White Sox)
OF: Mike Trout (Angels)
DH: Nelson Cruz (Twins)
National League
C: Travis d’Arnaud (Braves)
1B: Freddie Freeman (Braves)
2B: Donovan Solano (Giants)
3B: Manny Machado (Padres)
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres)
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves)
OF: Mookie Betts (Dodgers)
OF: Juan Soto (Nationals)
DH: Marcell Ozuna (Braves)
Gold Glove Awards
American League
C: Roberto Pérez (Indians)
1B: Evan White (Mariners)
2B: Cesar Hernandez (Indians)
3B: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Rangers)
SS: J.P. Crawford (Mariners)
LF: Alex Gordon (Royals)
CF: Luis Robert (White Sox)
RF: Joey Gallo (Rangers)
P: Griffin Canning (Angels)
Team: Indians
Platinum Glove: Alex Gordon (Royals)
National League
C: Tucker Barnhart (Reds)
1B: Anthony Rizzo (Cubs)
2B: Kolten Wong (Cardinals)
3B: Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
SS: Javier Báez (Cubs)
LF: Tyler O'Neill (Cardinals)
CF: Trent Grisham (Padres)
RF: Mookie Betts (Dodgers)
P: Max Fried (Braves)
Team: Cubs
Platinum Glove: Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
Hank Aaron Award
This was the year of the slugging first baseman, and the bats of José Abreu of the White Sox and Freddie Freeman of the Braves were bountiful enough that they have become the rare pair to win Hank Aaron Awards after already being named MVPs. Freeman became the second Braves player to win the NL honor.
Roberto Clemente Award
What started as fantasy football for charity has developed into impact around the world, and that impact led Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright to be named the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award winner. The honor is bestowed annually to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Relievers of the Year
Two of the season's top relievers were recognized for an exemplary 2020 as A's closer Liam Hendriks (1.78 ERA, 14 SV) won the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award presented by The Hartford, while Brewers rookie Devin Williams (0.33 ERA, 53 K in 27 IP) earned the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award.
Outstanding DH Award
En route to becoming the first NL winner of the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna produced an MLB-best 18 HRs while constructing career bests in AVG (.338), OBP (.431) and SLG (.636).
Comeback Players of the Year
Royals catcher Salvador Perez won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award by rebounding with an All-MLB performance after missing '19 with Tommy John surgery and the start of Summer Camp with COVID-19. Meanwhile, NL counterpart Daniel Bard completed a miraculous comeback journey by returning to the big leagues after a six-year hiatus.
Players Choice Awards
Twins slugger Nelson Cruz was named the Marvin Miller Man of the Year, annually awarded to the player that his peers "most respect based on his leadership on the field and in the community," while Freddie Freeman was Player of the Year and NL Outstanding Player as the MLB Players Association revealed winners of the the Players Choice Awards.
Postseason awards
ALCS MVP
Randy Arozarena torched Houston pitching with four homers, a .321 average (9-for-28) and a 1.152 OPS in the Rays' seven-game ALCS victory. The slugger came up biggest when his team needed him most en route to becoming the first rookie position player to win an LCS or World Series MVP honor.
NLCS MVP
Corey Seager became the only NL player in history to hit five homers and drive in 11 runs in a postseason series and the first shortstop with more than three homers in any series, batting .310/.333/.897 with eight runs and 26 total bases in leading the Dodgers back to the Fall Classic.
WS MVP
Shortstop Corey Seager became just the eighth player to follow an MVP performance in the LCS by winning the honor in the World Series after homering twice and slashing.400/.556/.700 in the Dodgers' six-game victory over the Rays. Seager won the vote unanimously.