Three Dodgers are among the finalists for the annual BBWAA awards announced on Monday. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman (National League MVP), and James Outman (National League Rookie of the Year), were among the top three vote-getters for the respective awards.
Betts and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., also an NL MVP finalist, led MLB in FanGraphs’ version of Wins Above Replacement at 8.3. Betts, the 2018 American League MVP, batted .307 with a .408 on-base percentage and .579 slugging percentage in 152 games.
In addition to his outstanding defense in right field, Betts started 70 games at second base and 16 at shortstop as he adapted to a utility role during his fourth season as a Dodger.
Freeman led MLB with 59 doubles while hitting .331 (third in the NL) with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs. His .410 on-base percentage and 23 stolen bases (in 24 attempts) both led the Dodgers.
The 34-year-old first baseman has finished in the top-10 vote-getters for the award each of the last six seasons, winning in 2020.
Acuña slashed .337/.416/.596, scored 149 runs and became the fifth player ever to have at least 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in a single season – and the first to ever go 40/70.
Outman, 26, started and ended the year as the Dodgers’ center fielder in his first full major league season. He finished with a .248 batting average, 23 home runs and 70 runs batted in.
Outman was named NL Rookie of the Month in April and August. His .353 on-base percentage was fourth among Dodger regulars, and only Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (6.0) had more Wins Above Replacement than Outman (4.4), according to FanGraphs.
Carroll and New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga are the other finalists for the award.
