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 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: Orioles 1B Chris Davis
Is on pace for 101 home runs and 365 RBI (Neither will ever happen), and is leading the lead in slugging and OPS. Now if the Orioles could just pitch a little better, they would be a force to be reckoned with.
NL MVP: Mets C John Buck
Has hit 5 homers and driven in a NL leading 15 runs. No one expected the Mets to be over .500, yet nine games in, they are.
AL Cy Young: Rangers RHP Yu Darvish
Almost had a perfect game in his first start of the season. Yes, it was the against the Astros, but it still counts. Leading the league in strikeouts, and has a sub 2.00 ERA. Hitters are batting a whopping .152 against him.
NL Cy Young: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw
Complete game shutout on opening day (hit a home run that day too). Holding opposing batters to a .118 batting average. Averaging a strikeout an inning and only walked one guy.
AL Rookie of the Year: None
No rookie in the AL has made an award worth contribution.
NL Rookie of the Year: Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu
Has made two starts already, looking solid in both. Got the loss on the second day of the year, while only yielding 1 run over 6.1 innings. Impressive 11 strikeouts in 12.2 innings, while only walking 2.
AL Manager of the Year: Athletics Bob Melvin
The Athletics are 7 and 2. After losing the first two games of the year to the Mariners, they have rattled off seven in a row, 5 of which have been on the road.
NL Manager of the Year: Braves Freddie Gonzalez
8 and 1 record. Enough said.
AL Reliever of the Year: White Sox RHP Addison Reed
It’s been a bad year for AL bullpens so far, but Reed has done his best to stand out from the pack. Notching 3 saves in 3 chances and recording a win in his other, Reed has not given up a run with an opponent’s batting average of .077.
NL Reliever of the Year: Giants RHP Sergio Romo
Allowed only one base runner in his first five appearances, striking out eight batters in five innings. He has also got the league lead in saves with five.
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Rangers DH Lance Berkman
After injuries held him to just 32 games in 2012, Berkman has started out the year scalding the ball. He is hitting .480 with 5 extra base hits in just 25 at bats. He has also drawn 7 walks in just 8 games.
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki
After being crushed by injuries for the last few seasons, Tulo is finally healthy and hitting the cover off the ball. .345 batting average, with 3 home runs and 8 RBI in just 8 games. Hopefully he can win the real award at the end of the year. There is no reason he shouldn’t if he stays healthy.
