2021 Hank Aaron Award finalists announced
Award Marks the First Since Hank Aaron’s Passing
Hall of Famers Pedro Martínez, John Smoltz & Chipper Jones Added to Voting Panel
Major League Baseball today announced finalists for the 2021 Hank Aaron Award, which has recognized the most outstanding regular season offensive performer in each League since it was established in 1999. Baseball fans have the opportunity to help select the winners of this distinguished award by voting for an American League and National League player online at MLB.com/aaron. This year’s Hank Aaron Award marks the first since the passing of Henry “Hank” Aaron on January 22, 2021. Today, for the first time in MLB history, Aaron’s two former franchises, the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers, will meet in Game One of the National League Division Series presented by Good Sam.
The finalists for the 2021 Hank Aaron Award are:
American League
Cedric Mullins (Baltimore Orioles)
José Ramírez (Cleveland Indians)
Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals)
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels)
Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
Matt Olson (Oakland Athletics)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
National League
Freddie Freeman (Atlanta Braves)
Nick Castellanos (Cincinnati Reds)
Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego Padres)
Brandon Crawford (San Francisco Giants)
Paul Goldschmidt (St. Louis Cardinals)
Juan Soto (Washington Nationals)
Each Club nominated one player from its team to be considered for the Hank Aaron Award. A panel of MLB.com writers determined seven finalists for each league from the list of Club nominees.
In addition to the fan vote, a special panel of Hall of Fame players will vote on the winners of the award, which is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball. Hall of Famers Chipper Jones, Pedro Martínez and John Smoltz joined the returning voting panel that include Johnny Bench, Craig Biggio, Ken Griffey Jr., Eddie Murray and Robin Yount.
Continuing through October 15, fans have the opportunity to select one American League and one National League winner from a list comprising of 14 player finalists. Three former Hank Aaron Award winners are among this year’s finalists: Freddie Freeman (2020), Bryce Harper (2015) and Paul Goldschmidt (2013).
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: José Abreu and Freddie Freeman (2020); Mike Trout and Christian Yelich (2019); J.D. Martinez and Christian Yelich (2018); Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Altuve (2017); Kris Bryant and David Ortiz (2016); Josh Donaldson and Bryce Harper (2015); Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Trout (2014); Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt (2013); Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey (2012); José Bautista and Matt Kemp (2011); José Bautista and Joey Votto (2010); Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols (2009); Aramis Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis (2008); Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder (2007); Derek Jeter and Ryan Howard (2006); David Ortiz and Andruw Jones (2005); Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds (2004); Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols (2003); Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds (2001-02); Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton (2000) and Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa (1999).
The Hank Aaron Award was introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th Anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, and, at that time, was the first major award introduced by Major League Baseball in more than 25 years.