Vlad, Harper win Hank Aaron Awards as best offensive players
Major League Baseball announced the 2021 Hank Aaron Award winners Tuesday, given to the best offensive players in each league.
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named the American League winner, while Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper took home the National League honor for the second time in his career.
Both Aaron winners were named finalists for their league's MVP on Monday.
At just 22 years old, Guerrero is the youngest player to win the award in its 23-year history. He's also the fourth member of the Blue Jays to claim it, joining Carlos Delgado (2000), Jose Bautista (2010 and '11), and Josh Donaldson (2015).
Guerrero authored a remarkable breakout season for the 91-win Blue Jays, hitting .311/.401/.601 with 48 homers, 111 RBIs, 123 runs scored, and 86 walks over 161 games. He tied for the major-league lead in homers, led outright in runs and total bases, and finished second in WAR. Guerrero also paced the AL in OBP, slugging, OPS, and OPS+. The infielder made a run at winning the triple crown but ultimately placed third in batting average and fifth in RBIs.
Harper, meanwhile, is the 12th player to win multiple Hank Aaron Awards. He first won it in 2015 while playing for the Washington Nationals.
The 29-year-old slashed .309/.429/.615 and recorded 35 homers, 84 RBIs, 42 doubles, and 101 runs scored over 141 games with the Phillies. He led the majors in doubles, slugging, OPS, and extra-base hits. Harper also finished second in the NL in OBP and walks and ranked top 10 in most other offensive categories.
Harper joins Ryan Howard (2006) as the lone Phillies to win this award.
This year's Hank Aaron Award marked the first time MLB handed out the honor since the legendary outfielder died this past January. A panel of Aaron's Hall of Fame peers combined with fan votes determined the winners.
Seven finalists for the 2021 Hank Aaron Award were named in each league. Guerrero beat out Aaron Judge, Cedric Mullins, Shohei Ohtani, Matt Olson, Salvador Perez, and Jose Ramirez in the AL. Harper won out over Nick Castellanos, Brandon Crawford, Freddie Freeman (who won it in 2020), Paul Goldschmidt, Juan Soto, and Fernando Tatis Jr. in the NL.