This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
The regular season is nearly into June, and while it's probably a little early to talk seriously about awards candidates, it's never too early to speculate a little bit.
Especially around the Reds, which have legitimate candidates to get voting consideration for National League MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year.
Let's look at Cincinnati's potential candidates for some postseason hardware.
NL Cy Young Award: Chase Burns
Burns, in his second big league season, is 7-1 with a 1.96 ERA through 11 starts and finished May 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA in five starts. He entered Thursday ranked fourth in the NL in ERA and tied for fourth in strikeouts (72), tied for seventh in innings pitched (64 1/3) and tied for second in wins. He also was tied for third in the Majors in bWAR for pitchers (2.9) and ranked third in hits-per-nine innings (5.876).
Five times this season, Burns has pitched five or more innings with eight strikeouts and two or fewer runs allowed. He's allowed two or fewer runs in each of his past eight starts.
It's certainly not too early to think of the 23-year-old Burns as an All-Star candidate, but if he can keep up his current pace – and isn't given an innings limit too early in the season – he could get into the Cy conversation. There is plenty of stiff competition, namely from the Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez (6-2, 1.47 ERA), who didn't allow an earned run in five starts this month as part of a still-active 44 2/3 scoreless-innings streak.
Other contenders: Paul Skenes (Pirates), Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers), Chris Sale (Braves), Bryce Elder (Braves) and Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
Only Red to win NL Cy Young: Trevor Bauer (2020) | All-time winners
NL MVP: Elly De La Cruz
A two-time All-Star, De La Cruz is (so far) having his most-consistent season since debuting in 2023. His improvement as a right-handed hitter is a big reason he's batting .279 overall with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs and 37 RBIs while playing all 55 games. He entered Thursday leading all shortstops in extra-base hits (26, tied with CJ Abrams), total bases (113) and runs (38, tied with Zach Neto).
Among NL leaders, De La Cruz was fifth in hits (62), sixth in total bases, tied for fifth in runs, tied for eighth in RBIs and ninth in homers. He already has as many homers off left-handed pitching (five) than he did all of last season.
If De La Cruz can get on a tear and help the Reds get back into the playoffs, his name would get checked on MVP ballots. But it will take a lot to unseat the Dodgers' Ohtani, the two-time reigning NL MVP. And if it's not Ohtani, there are plenty of other candidates.
Other contenders: Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Matt Olson (Braves), James Wood (Nationals), Jordan Walker (Cardinals)
Last Red to win MVP: Joey Votto (2010) | All-time winners
NL Rookie of the Year: Sal Stewart
Stewart's first full big league season launched like a rocket, and he already won NL Rookie of the Month honors for March/April. Although his pace has slowed this month, the 22-year-old remains the NL rookie leader in home runs (12), RBIs (36), slugging (.473), OPS (.826), walks (31) and extra-base hits (21) while batting .256 with a .353 on-base percentage.
Because of his advanced knowledge of the strike zone and ability to hit to all sides of the field, Stewart is able to minimize slumps even as opposing pitchers have started to make adjustments.
Other contenders: JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals), Nolan McLean (Mets), Konnor Griffin (Pirates)
Last Reds NL Rookie of the the Year: Jonathan India (2021) | All-time winners