Manny Machado, who led the league in fWAR and led the Padres to their first (full season) playoff appearance in 16 seasons, is my pick as National League Player of the Year.
Machado hit .298/.366/.531 with 30 home runs, 102 RBIs and 100 runs. He emerged as a leader, too.
Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman were also worthy candidates.
Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara was the league’s best pitcher, and Atlanta featured the league’s top rookies: center fielder Michael Harris and pitcher Spencer Strider.
The Mets lead the All-Star team with five players, plus manager Buck Showalter. The Cardinals and Phillies placed two players each. The Dodgers, with a team-record 111 wins, added Mookie Betts.
Albert Pujols hit his 700th career home run and bookended his career with home runs in his first at-bat at Busch Stadium and his final at-bat at Busch. Pujols, who hit .323/.388/.715 with 18 home runs in the second half of the season, might be the best first basemen of all time.
— Kevin Brewer
TEAMS
Best record >> Los Angeles Dodgers, 111-51
Worst record >> Washington Nationals, 55-107
Home team >> Los Angeles Dodgers, 57-24
Road team >> Los Angeles Dodgers, 54-27
Best offense >> Los Angeles Dodgers
Best baserunning >> Arizona Diamondbacks
Best pitching >> Los Angeles Dodgers
Best fielding >> St. Louis Cardinals
ALL-STAR TEAM
Catcher >> J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
First base >> Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
Second base >> Jeff McNeil, Mets
Third base >> Manny Machado, Padres
Shortstop >> Francisco Lindor, Mets
Left field >> Ian Happ, Cubs
Center field >> Brandon Nimmo, Mets
Right field >> Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Designated hitter >> Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Starting pitchers >> Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
>> Aaron Nola, Phillies
>> Carlos Rodon, Giants
>> Max Fried, Atlanta
>> Max Scherzer, Mets
Reliever >> Edwin Diaz, Mets
Manager >> Buck Showalter, Mets
Toughest omission >> Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
AWARDS
Player of the Year >> Manny Machado, Padres
Rookie of the Year >> Michael Harris, Atlanta
Best teammate >> Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
Best hitter >> Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
Best baserunner >> Tommy Edman, Cardinals
Best fielders >> Ke’Bryan Hayes, Brendan Rodgers
Power / speed >> Trea Turner, Dodgers
Five-tool player >> Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Pitcher of the Year >> Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
Workhouse >> Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
Workhouse (reliever) >> A.J. Minter, Atlanta
Strikeout pitcher >> Carlos Rodon, Giants
Strikeout pitcher (reliever) >> Edwin Diaz, Mets
Control pitcher >> Aaron Nola, Phillies
Control pitcher (reliever) >> Joe Mantiply, Diamondbacks
Retired >> Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Goodbye >> Vin Scully
Highest-paid player >> Max Scherzer, $43.3 million
700 home runs >> Albert Pujols, Cardinals
No-hitter >> Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely RodrÃguez, Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz, Mets
