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If the MLB Season Were to End Today, Who’s Taking Home the Hardware?

2013-04-02T005303Z_1611662120_GM1E9420OMS01_RTRMADP_3_BASEBALL

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

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