We've already seen some MLB postseason awards, but the biggest accolades kick off this week.
The Rookie of the Year for each respective league will be announced Monday night.
The finalists, as already announced by the league, are Washington's Bryce Harper, Arizona's Wade Miley and Cincinnati's Todd Frazier.
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Harper took the world by storm when he was called up at the end of April. He didn't put up other-worldly stats like Mike Trout, his counterpart in the AL, but Harper had arguably the best season ever for a 19-year-old.
The Nationals' super rookie hit .270 with a .817 OPS, 98 runs, 22 homers, 59 RBI and 18 steals in 597 plate appearances over 139 games. He ran hard on the bases, played hard in the field, and swung hard at the plate, netting a 5.0 WAR (according to BaseballReference's metric).
Miley, 26, got a taste of big-league action last season, starting seven games for the Diamondbacks. The southpaw appeared in 32 games in 2012 (including 29 starts) and compiled a 16-11 record with a 3.33 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 194.2 innings. Miley struck out 6.7 batters per nine innings and boasted a fantastic 3.89 KBB ratio while putting up a 3.2 WAR
Frazier, 26, also saw some time in the majors last season, with 121 plate appearances over 41 games. The big right-hander spent most if his time at third base for the Reds this year, but also started 36 games at first base in Joey Votto's absence and even made a few appearances in the outfield. He slugged 19 homers and drove in 67 in 465 plate appearances with a .273 average and .829 OPS, good for a 1.9 WAR.
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Harper and Miley were both named to the NL All-Star team, while Frazier missed out. Given the hype surrounding Harper and the fact he is a full six years younger than both of the other challengers, the Nationals' phenom will likely take home the award Monday night.
All three are good choices, as both Harper and Frazier helped lead their team to the playoffs while Miley was Arizona's most consistent starter, but I think one more player should have been added to the finalists.
Milwaukee signed Norichika Aoki away from Japan this winter and the 30-year-old outfielder forced his way into the starting lineup as the season progressed. Aoki hit .288.355.433 with 37 doubles, 10 homers, 81 runs and 30 steals in 151 games. As the Brewers made a push for the playoffs in the season's final month, Aoki keyed the charge with an .898 OPS in September, adding seven steals, 21 runs, 18 RBI and 18 extra-base hits.
Aoki also played a very solid outfield and sported a 3.3 WAR, second only to Harper among NL rookies. There are some out there that believe foreign players should not be eligible for Rookie of the Year awards, and it's a valid point, but the adjustment from Japan to MLB is arguably just as hard as going from Double-A or Triple-A to the big leagues.
Aoki won't usurp any of the three candidates, but he should at least have been in the consideration.
MLB will announce the Manager of the Year Tuesday night, Cy Young winners Wednesday night and the MVP of each league Thursday evening.