Most teams are only eight or nine games into a one hundred sixty two game season, but it’s time for a way to early prediction for the MLB awards. There are some names on this list that you might not know and others who are flat out good, and are keeping up with the Joneses.
AL MVP: Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera
Current Stat Line: 116 GP, .360/.452/.689, 40 HR, 120 RBI, 160 H, 6.6 WAR
Cabrera has been unreal, leading the AL batting title race by almost 30 points, trading the RBI lead with Chris Davis pretty much every other day, and trailing only Davis in Home Runs. Cabrera has been the most clutch of any player in the American League.
Very Close Second: Orioles 1B Chris Davis
NL MVP: Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Current Stat Line: 122 GP, .296/.392/.547, 30 HR, 96 RBI, 136 H, 5.4 WAR
There isn’t any compelling candidates for the NL as compared to the AL. Goldschmidt hast been solid leading the Snakes and the NL in Homeruns and RBI, even though his numbers wouldn’t be close to the lead if he were in the AL. He may not win this award if his team doesn’t make the playoffs, throwing the race for the MVP into chaos.
Close Second: Cardinals 1B/OF Allen Craig
AL Cy Young: Tigers RHP Max Scherzer
Current Stat Line: 18 W – 1 L, 2.82 ERA, 172.1 IP, 185 K’s, 0.899 WHIP, .192 BAA, 5.5 WAR
Many will argue that Scherzer isn’t deserving of the Cy Young because of his inflated win/loss record due to the incredible run support he gets.Tell me though the rest of his stat line isn’t Cy Young worthy. If you don’t agree, I will not hesitate to call you a liar.
Very Close Second: Rangers RHP Yu Darvish
NL Cy Young: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw
Current Stat Line: 12 W – 7 L, 1.80 ERA, 190.1 IP, 182 K’s, 0.851 WHIP, .184 BAA, 6.6 WAR
Kershaw is the best pitcher in the NL, without a doubt. I live in an AL city and am willing to make the argument that if Kershaw didn’t get 2-3 free outs a game from facing the opposing pitcher, that his numbers would be worse than those of my projected AL winner, Max Scherzer.
Not So Close Second: Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright
AL Rookie of the Year: Rays RHP Chris Archer
Current Stat Line: 6 W – 5 L, 2.95 ERA, 88.1 IP, 62 K’s, 1.109 WHIP, .218 BAA, 1.9 WAR
Archer has 2 complete game shut-outs and if you took out his start two starts ago where he struggled, his era would be under 2.75. He’s been a very consistent member of the Rays’ rotation with 9 of his 15 starts have been quality starts.
Very Close Second: Rays OF Will Myers
NL Rookie of the Year: Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig
Current Stat Line: 67 GP, .351/.412/.556, 11 HR, 27 RBI, 91 H, 3.6 WAR
He’s been crazy good, and despite what everyone in baseball says about him, I don’t think he can keep up this pace offensively over the course of his career, especially because he’s averaging over a strikeout per game. He’s a game changer on defense and runs the bases with reckless abandon. He’s a very exciting player to watch. I just don’t think he’s as good as everyone thinks he is. If he played in Milwaukee or Minnesota, he wouldn’t be considered to be a star and Marlins rookie phenom Jesus Fernandez would win this award hands down.
Very, Very Close Second: Marlins RHP Jesus Fernandez
AL Manager of the Year: Red Sox John Farrell
74 W – 53 L, Offensive Rank: 1st in AL, Pitching Rank, 7th in AL, 1.0 Game Lead in Division
Nobody in their right minds expected the Red Sox to win their division this season, especially with their pitching woes. But the Sox continue to rake and win games despite a shaky bullpen, and an ever-changing starting rotation.
Close Second: Tigers Jim Leyland
NL Manager of the Year: Braves Freddie Gonzalez
76 W – 48 L, Offensive Rank: 2nd in NL, Pitching Rank, 2nd in AL, 16.0 Game Lead in Division
University of Kentucky Head Basketball Coach John Calapari doesn’t get full credit for his success because he just rolls out the basketball into the gym and says go play. This Braves team is very similar, because they have so much offensive talent that they don’t have a place to play everyone. They have battled pitching injuries all year and all the kids they bring up just keep on chugging. Don’t get me wrong, Gonzalez is a great manager, but the credit belongs more in the front office.
Very Close Second: Pirates Clint Hurdle
AL Reliever of the Year: Royals RHP Greg Holland
Current Stat Line: 1.47 ERA, 34/36 Saves, 49.0 IP, 77 K’s, 13 BB, 0.898 WHIP, .180 BAA, 1.9 WAR
Talk about a breakout year. Holland has been nothing but lights out with a power fastball and a crazy sharp slider. Even though KC wouldn’t be in the playoffs now, their pitching staff could very well lead them there, with Holland slamming the door shut at the end.
Not So Close Second: Tigers Joaquin Benoit
NL Reliever of the Year: Braves RHP Craig Kimbrel
Current Stat Line: 1.07 ERA, 39/42 Saves, 50.1 IP, 77 K’s, 17 BB, 0.934 WHIP, .165 BAA, 2.7 WAR
Close Second: Cardinals RHP Edward Mujica
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Tigers DH Victor Martinez
Current Stat Line: 100 GP, .282/.337/.403, 10 HR, 67 RBI, 120 H, 0.2 WAR
To think, after missing a whole year with an ACL tear, being 34 years old and having an awful start to the season he put together a great season. He’s hitting a remarkable .352/.408/.471 since the all star break.
Close Second: Royals 1B Eric Hosmer and Red Sox RHP John Lackey
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Rockies RF/1B Michael Cuddyer
Current Stat Line: 100 GP, .323/.389/.532, 17 HR, 66 RBI, 120 H, 1.8 WAR
I was among those who said “why in the hell are the Rockies giving a three year deal to Michael Cuddyer?” He’s turned out to be worth every penny over the last two seasons. His appearance in the home run derby was a joke, but he’s still put together a pretty special season.
Close Second: Braves 3B Chris Johnson
Here’s what was in the article I wrote in the middle of April titled: The Way to Early MLB Awards. See how wrong or right I was.
AL MVP: Orioles 1B Chris Davis
NL MVP: Mets C John Buck
AL Cy Young: Rangers RHP Yu Darvish
NL Cy Young: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw
AL Rookie of the Year: None
NL Rookie of the Year: Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu
AL Manager of the Year: Athletics Bob Melvin
NL Manager of the Year: Braves Freddie Gonzalez
AL Reliever of the Year: White Sox RHP Addison Reed
NL Reliever of the Year: Giants RHP Sergio Romo
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Rangers DH Lance Berkman
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki
