Vote NOW: J-Ram nominated for Hank Aaron Award
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Who was the best offensive player in each league during the regular season?
That is the criteria for choosing the annual winners of the Hank Aaron Award. The award was established in 1999 to mark the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time career home run record, and the winners are determined by votes from a panel of Hall of Famers as well as baseball fans. The 10 nominees in each league were announced Monday, and voting is open now and runs through Sunday, Oct. 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Here is a rundown of this year’s Hank Aaron Award nominees:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yordan Alvarez, AstrosAlvarez exceeded 30 home runs for the fourth straight year as he sent 35 balls out of the yard. He also racked up a career-high 71 extra-base hits. Yet Alvarez has always been so much more than a slugger. He ranked among the Top 10 in the big leagues in average (.308), on-base percentage (.392) and OPS (.959). Meanwhile, Alvarez lowered his strikeout rate to a career-best 15%.
Jarren Duran, Red SoxDuran had a breakout season in Boston. He racked up 48 doubles and 14 triples, both of which were the most in the AL. Add in his 21 home runs, and Duran finished with 83 extra-base hits, fourth-best in MLB. He also recorded 34 stolen bases, making him the third player in franchise history to register a 20-30 season (Jacoby Ellsbury and Mookie Betts).
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue JaysAfter a slow April, Guerrero kicked into high gear at the plate, posting a .345/.412/.590 slash line over the season’s next five months. The 2021 AL winner of the Aaron Award, Guerrero ended this season with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs and a .323 average. He recorded a career-high 199 hits and struck out just 13.8% of the time.
Gunnar Henderson, OriolesThe reigning AL Rookie of the Year took his game to another level in 2024, highlighted by 37 home runs, 21 stolen bases and an .893 OPS. Henderson became just the second Oriole, age 23 or younger, to tally at least 30 homers and 20 steals, joining Manny Machado. Henderson’s 118 runs scored ranked fourth in the AL and were the most by an Oriole since Roberto Alomar in 1996.
Aaron Judge, YankeesThe Yankees’ captain was the AL recipient of the Hank Aaron Award in 2022, a year in which he belted 62 home runs. And his 2024 season was arguably better. Besides leading the Majors with 58 homers, Judge became the first player to record at least 140 RBIs since Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard in 2009. Judge turned in a .322 batting average, and his 1.159 OPS was the best by any qualified hitter over a full season since Barry Bonds in 2004.
José Ramírez, GuardiansWith 39 dingers and 41 steals, Ramírez joined Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani as the only players this season with at least 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases. He complemented his power-speed totals by ranking among the AL’s top five in doubles (39), runs scored (a career-best 114) and RBIs (118).
Brent Rooker, A’sRooker recorded his second straight 30-homer campaign en route to finishing with 39 dingers. His .293 average was the best by an A’s player in a 30-homer season since Miguel Tejada in 2002. In his second full Major League season, Rooker drove in 112 runs and ranked sixth in the AL with a .927 OPS.
Anthony Santander, OriolesSantander put himself in a group with the likes of Mickey Mantle and Chipper Jones during his powerful 2024 season. He became the eighth switch-hitter in MLB history to reach the 40-homer mark and the first to do it since Lance Berkman and Carlos Beltrán in 2006. After earning his first All-Star selection, the 29-year-old Santander finished the year with 91 runs and 102 RBIs to go along with his 44 home runs.
Juan Soto, YankeesSoto’s first season with the Yankees was a smashing success. He set career-highs in runs (128, most in the AL), hits (166), home runs (41), extra-base hits (76) and slugging percentage over a full season (.569). The 25-year-old was named an All-Star for the fourth time and registered more than 100 RBIs for the third time. Among AL players, Soto’s .419 on-base percentage and .988 OPS were second only to teammate Judge.
Bobby Witt Jr., RoyalsTalk about filling up the stat sheet: Witt became the first player in AL/NL history to record at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs, 30 stolen bases and 10 triples in a single season. He also made history as the first shortstop with multiple 30-homer, 30-steal seasons. He tallied 125 runs and 109 RBIs. Witt led the Majors with 211 hits and a .332 batting average en route to capturing Kansas City’s first batting title since George Brett in 1990.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
William Contreras, BrewersContreras has emerged as one of the top-hitting catchers in baseball. The 26-year-old backstop improved on a strong first year in Milwaukee in 2023 to earn his second All-Star appearance in ’24. Contreras paced NL catchers in homers (23), RBIs (92) and OPS (.831) as Milwaukee won an NL Central title.
Elly De La Cruz, RedsDe La Cruz is one of the most electric players in the Majors. His potent combination of speed and power makes him a threat in multiple ways. He bopped 25 homers, scored 105 runs and led the bigs in stolen bases for most of 2024. His 67 swipes were eight more than anyone else.
Freddie Freeman, DodgersFreeman remained not just a steady and reliable presence in the Dodgers’ lineup, but also one of MLB’s top hitters. The lefty topped 20 homers for the eighth consecutive full season, was still one of the Majors’ best at getting on base (.378 OBP) and ranked among the NL’s Top 10 in OPS (.854).
Bryce Harper, PhilliesHarper continued being a force in the heart of the Phillies’ lineup despite playing a new position (first base) and dealing with nagging injuries throughout the year. He secured his fifth season of 30 or more homers in 2024 and led all qualified first basemen in doubles (42) and OPS (.898).
Francisco Lindor, MetsLindor put together an MVP-worthy season for the Mets in 2024. He reached 30 homers for the second straight season and finished among the top three NL shortstops in home runs (33), RBIs (91), doubles (39), average (.273), slugging (.500) and OPS (.844). That OPS was Lindor’s best since 2019.
Ketel Marte, D-backsDespite missing some time late in the season due to injury, Marte comfortably led all NL second basemen in just about every major offensive category, including average (.292), homers (career-high 36), RBIs (career-high 95), runs scored (93) and OPS (.932). He received his second All-Star selection this season and produced 61 extra-base hits in 136 games.
Jackson Merrill, PadresMerrill’s bat was one of the more pleasant surprises of the 2024 season, providing him a strong case for NL Rookie of the Year. The lefty slugger paced all qualified rookies in hits (162), average (.292), RBIs (90) and total bases (277). His 24 home runs were the most among NL rookies.
Shohei Ohtani, DodgersWhat’s left to say about Ohtani? He became the first member of the 50-50 club, the first player to reach 400 total bases in a season since 2001 and seemingly produced runs at will. He finished the year with 54 homers and 59 stolen bases while also racking up 99 extra-base hits. That was the most by any player since Derrek Lee did the same in 2005.
Marcell Ozuna, BravesOzuna continued to amaze, as he cemented his re-emergence as one of baseball’s biggest offensive threats after struggling from 2021 through the start of May 2023. After flirting with a Triple Crown for much of this season and falling just one home run shy of his second straight 40-homer, 100-RBI campaign with the Braves, it’s clear that this version of Ozuna is the real one. His .924 OPS trailed only Ohtani and Marte in the NL.
Kyle Schwarber, PhilliesSchwarber established himself as the game’s greatest active leadoff hitter — thanks to 15 leadoff dingers this season, a new single-season record. Schwarber was an on-base machine atop the Phillies’ lineup, whether he was clubbing long balls (38) or taking walks (an NL-high 106). He racked up 104 RBIs for the second consecutive season and set a personal best with 110 runs.