AL Rookie of the Year: Brennan Boesch-DET .340BA 12HR 46RBI in only 57 games played. (Honorable Mention Neftali Feliz-TEX 21 Saves and 3.06ERA 0.99WHIP) I think you could make an argument for either of these guys but I give the nod to Boesch for his ability to protect Miguel Cabrera. Having to bat behind Cabrera is a big responsibility and for a rookie to be hitting so well is an impressive feat. Feliz throws triple digit cheddar and already has 22 saves on the year. That's all-star worthy on its own right. To put up big pitching numbers in the Ballpark at Arlington is even more impressive.
NL Rookie of the Year: Gaby Sanchez-FLA 9HR 38RBI .309BA (Honorable Mention Jaime Garcia- STL 8W 4L 2.10ERA .220 OBA 1.22WHIP) Steer clear of the sexy NL names like Heyward, Strasburg, Davis, Alvarez, Stanton, and Posey. Look at the numbers. Gaby is swinging a big stick in a big ballpark. The Marlins have a good track record with First Basemen. Like Adrian Gonzalez and Derek Lee before him, Gaby is only going to get better. Many might argue that Jaime Garcia is just another bi-product of Dave Duncan's pitching genius, but NObody argues with the results. Garcia has looked stellar and shows no sign of slowing down in the 2nd half. If the Cards are going to win the Central, they will need continued success from the back end of their rotation.
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Josh Hamilton-TEX 19HR 59RBI .340BA compared to last year 10HR 54RBI .268BA (Honorable Mention: Alex Rios-CHW 13HR 44RBI 22SB .312BA compared to last year 17HR 71RBI 24SB .247 BA) Many would make the case for Hamilton as the league MVP (myself included). Hamilton is 1 of 2 American Leaguer's who have an outside chance at the triple crown and is partially responsible for the Rangers spot atop the West Division. Rios had a terrible 2009 and now could arguably be the most productive centerfielder in the American League posting a good BA, solid power numbers, and 22 swipes. Alex and teammate Konerko kept the White Sox afloat during an abysmal April and May.
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Troy Glaus-ATL 14HR 56RBI .260BA compared to last years 0HR 2RBI .172BA in only 14 games played (Honorable Mention Scott Rolen-CIN 17HR 56 RBI .302BA compared to 11 HR and 67 RBI the entire 09' season) Again, hard to make the case for one or the other. Both are established veterans with successful pasts. Most, including myself, didn't even know Glaus still played baseball. Troy's big power numbers are part of the reason why the Braves are back in the playoff hunt again. Rolen's BA is always good, but his power numbers have really came back this year. Rolen is ALWAYS hurt, and perhaps his big numbers are a direct result of him being fully healthy for the first time in many years. Rolen leads a group of unproven youngsters in the Queen City and currently find themselves in first place.
AL Manager of the Year: Ron Washington-TEX (Honorable Mention Ron Gardenhire-MIN) Manager of the year comes down to what team is playing much better baseball than expected. Most give the West to the Angels every year until someone proves they are better. Washington found a great replacement for Rudy Jaramillo in Clint Hurdle. The Rangers have put more an emphasis on pitching and defense and are playing great ball under Washington. Gardie continues to lose big names to free agency and injury and yet like the sun rising, the Twins are near the top of their division once again.
NL Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker-CIN (Honorable Mention Jerry Manuel-NYM) The NL manager of the year mid season award could also be called the former Chicago manager currently doing well award. Dusty has his boys in the thick of things in the Central, while Jerry has the Met's playing good ball in the uber competitive East division.
AL Cy Young: David Price-TB 11W 4L 2.42ERA (Honorable Mention: Clay Bucholz-BOS 10W 4L 2.45 ERA) Everybody is talking about the NL pitchers with their amazing ERA's. Meanwhile, David Price is quietly putting together a Cy Young Caliber season. A former #1 pick, Price is showing his worth to the Rays in the starting rotation. He throws strikes and keeps his defense on their toes, and as a southpaw he holds advantages over in-division rival lefties such as David Ortiz, Curtis Granderson, and switch hitting Texeira and Posada (hit better as lefties). Bucholz has great mid season numbers and will most likely get a lot of attention come years end as he plays for Boston, and we all know Boston has that large national TV network (ESPN) to campaign for him.
NL Cy Young: Ubaldo Jimenez-COL 14W 1L 1.83 ERA (Honorable Mention: Josh Johnson-FLA 8W 3L 1.82 ERA) Get Nervous Denny McLain...Ubaldo is on pace for 30 wins...which would be a first since 1968. Ubaldo AND Johnson have dental floss thin sub 2.00 ERA's. While it is widely acknowledged the NL has fewer hitters than the AL, giving up less than 2 runs per 9 innings is damn impressive regardless of league affiliation. I don't like to put Wins as a top priority for my Cy Young, but if Ubaldo comes anywhere close to 30 he should be a unanimous selection.
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera-DET 20 HR 68 RBI .337BA (Honorable Mention: Josh Hamilton-TEX 19HR 59RBI .340BA) Miggy Cabrera might win the Triple Crown. The Tigers might ride Cabrera's giant bat all the way to October. This guy has no weaknesses and is the American League's version of Pujols. Once he wins one MVP, he's not going to stop winning them until he retires. Hamilton also has monster numbers and his team is on pace for post season baseball, but Miggy gets the nod because his offense surrounding him isn't nearly as potent as Hamilton's is. DARK HORSE: Evan Longoria-TB
NL MVP: Joey Votto-CIN 19 HR 57 RBI.313 BA (Honorable Mention: Albert Pujols-STL 19 HR 59 RBI .306 BA) Nobody would think less of you for picking Albert Pujols as your NL MVP...Dont be surprised if another First baseman from the NL Central wins instead. Votto's numbers are immaculate, and he has been clutch city all year long. If his numbers don't decline and the Reds win the Central, how can you vote for Pujols? Having said that....This is just a mid season award...I fully expect Votto to slow down a bit at which time a big name will step in and establish himself as league best. DARK HORSE: David Wright-NYM
So...What do you think???
