The last two seasons the Majors Sports Network has awarded the Plastic MLB Awards. The Awards given to the worst players in the game. This is the way-to-early edition for the 2015 awards.
THE ANTI-BATTING TITLE
Awarded to the worst hitter in each league.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Shin-Soo Choo – Texas Rangers
.096/.254/.173 in 52 at bats.
Choo is coming off an injury that cost him a significant portion of the 2014 season. So far he’s been awful, netting only five hits and 7 walks in 52 at bats.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Marlon Byrd – Cincinnati Reds
.171/.181/.286 in 70 at bats.
Byrd has also struck out 21 times without drawing a walk. Byrd is just over the hill and his career is likely over, oh wait. He’s got a vesting option for 2016 at $8 million if he gets 550 plate appearances. I hate to say it, but he’s on pace for that.
THE 50 CENT AWARD
50 Cent (who’s first pitch at a Mets game is arguably the worst looking throw of all time) gets an award named after him for the worst pitcher in each league.
American League
RHP Chris Tillman – Baltimore Orioles
7.58 ERA, 19.0 IP, 16 ER, 13 BB, 22 H, 1.84 WHIP
Tillman has been bad, there is no way around it. This is supposed to be the guy that is leading the Orioles staff, instead he’s got the worst ERA among qualifiers in the American League.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
RHP Kyle Kendrick – Colorado Rockies
7.77 ERA, 24.1 IP, 21 ER, 10 BB, 33 H, 1.77 WHIP
Kendrick got the opening day start for his new club, but hasn’t been leading the staff like the Rockies would have hoped for. He’s never been a big strikeout guy, but only striking out 18 batters in 24 1/3 innings pitched while giving up 33 hits isn’t going to cut it.
THE PLASTIC SLUGGER
The opposite of a Silver Slugger. Awarded to the worst hitting MLB regular in each league. A minimum 50 at bats are needed to qualify.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Catcher: Chris Ianetta – Los Angeles Angels
.100/.220/.120, 50 AB, 19 K’s, 2 XBH
1st Base: Chris Carter – Houston Astros
.154/.257/.215, 65 AB, 26 K’s, 2 XBH
2nd Base: Rougned Odor – Texas Rangers
.161/.307/.258, 62 AB, 15 K’s, 4 XBH
3rd Base: Adrian Beltre – Texas Rangers
.192/.250/.333, 78 AB, 7 K’s, 6 XBH
Shortstop: Jose Ramirez – Cleveland Indians
.186/.234/.254, 59 AB, 12 K’s, 2 XBH
Outfield: Shin-Soo Choo – Texas Rangers
.096/.254/.173, 52 AB, 15 K’s, 2 XBH
Outfield: Michael Bourn – Cleveland Indians
.181/.253/.222, 72 AB, 18 K’s, 3 XBH
Outfield: George Springer – Houston Astros
.183/.302/.324, 71 AB, 28 K’s, 6 XBH
Designated Hitter: Evan Gattis – Houston Astros
.154/.191/.246, 65 AB, 22 K’s, 4 XBH
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Catcher: Yasmani Grandal – Los Angeles Dodgers
.200/.322/.300, 50 AB, 11 K’s, 3 XBH
1st Base: Ryan Howard – Philadelphia Phillies
.194/.242/.387, 62 AB, 20 K’s, 6 XBH
2nd Base: Chase Utley – Philadelphia Phillies
.125/.203/.219, 64 AB, 12 K’s, 2 XBH
3rd Base: Aramis Ramirez – Milwaukee Brewers
.209/.221/.343, 67 AB, 12 K’s, 5 XBH
Shortstop: Nick Ahmed – Arizona Diamondbacks
.135/.237/.154, 52 AB, 19 K’s, 1 XBH
Outfield: Marlon Byrd – Cincinnati Reds
.171/.181/.286, 70 AB, 21 K’s, 4 XBH
Outfield: Eric Young Jr. – Atlanta Braves
.179/.220/.321, 56 AB, 10 K’s, 6 XBH
Outfield: Jay Bruce – Cincinnati Reds
.182/.304/.379, 66 AB, 25 K’s, 5 XBH
THE PLEATHER GLOVE AWARD
Awarded to the worst defensive players in each league at each position. RDRS = defensive runs saved
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Catcher: Roberto Perez – Cleveland Indians
2 E, .985 FPCT, 17.6% CS
1st Base: Ike Davis – Oakland A’s
1 E, .992 FPCT, 8.67 RF
2nd Base: Stephen Drew – New York Yankees
2 E, .962 FPCT, 3.78 RF
3rd Base: Conor Gillaspie – Chicago White Sox
3 E, .897 FPCT, 2.41 RF
Shortstop: Marcus Semien – Oakland A’s
6 E, .932 FPCT, 4.10 RF
Left Field: Yoenis Cespedes – Detroit Tigers
2 E, 0 A, .947 FPCT
Center Field: Austin Jackson – Seattle Mariners
2 E, 1 A, .959 FPCT
Right Field: Brandon Moss – Cleveland Indians
1 E, 2 A, .963 FPCT
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Catcher: Carlos Ruiz – Philadelphia Phillies
2 E, .983 FPCT, 22.2% CS
1st Base: Matt Adams – St. Louis Cardinals
3 E, .977 FPCT, 9.36 RF
2nd Base: Daniel Murphy – New York Mets
4 E, .952 FPCT, 4.53 RF
3rd Base: Todd Fraizer – Cincinnati Reds
3 E, .939 FPCT, 2.52 RF
Shortstop: Ian Desmond – Washington Nationals
9 E, .904 FPCT, 4.36 RF
Left Field: Khris Davis – Milwaukee Brewers
2 E, 0 A, .946 FPCT
Center Field: Odubel Herrara – Philadelphia Phillies
2 E, 0 A, .952 FPCT
Right Field: Gregory Polanco – Pittsburgh Pirates
2 E, 1 A, .944 FPCT
THE ALAN TRAMMELL AWARD
Given to the least winningest manager who’s seat is bound to be getting hotter.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Terry Francona – Cleveland Indians
Everyone’s preseason World Series favorite has been putrid out the gates. They have just a 1-6 record at home and are 6-13 overall. Granted, some of his talent has been hurt, but the team is 0-5 in games started by reigning Cy Young Award Winner Corey Kluber.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Ron Roenicke – Milwaukee Brewers
His team is off to a 4-17 start and has been outscored by 52 runs in those 21 games. That’s over two full runs per contest. Nobody thought the Brewers would win the division, but everyone thought they would have put in a better effort.