The All-Star break of another mesmerizing baseball season is upon us. It's time again for the Midseason Awards Extravaganza.
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Yes he was called up a month into the season. Yes he is still a rookie. Yes his last name is the name of a fish. None of this matters. Mike Trout has had more impact on his team than any other player in the American League this year. Trout's 4.7 WAR ranks tops in the American League. When he walked into the Angels' clubhouse April 28, they were 6-14, nine games behind Texas and tied for the second-worst record in baseball. Since that day, they own the best record in baseball (40-23), and if the postseason started tonight, they'd be a playoff team. Trouts WPA/LI ranks tops in the American League attesting to his value for the Angels. A link to what WPA/LI is:
http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/misc/wpa-li/. If the season ends today, Trout would be the AL Batting Champion and lead the league in SB with 26 while only being caught 3 times. Trout has shown fans across the nation why he was such a highly touted prospect that plans on being a superstar for years to come.
Also in the Hunt: Josh Hamilton, Robinson Cano, Adam Jones, Jose Bautista
NL MVP: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
Many will say Joey Votto. Does my anti-Red mindset have something to do with it? Possibly but no. Andrew McCutchen is having a MVP caliber season. McCutchen is having a great year in what is a critical year for the Pirate Franchise. The Pirates have had 19 consecutive sub-.500 years and are 11 games over headed into the break. A lot of that is due to the year McCutchen is having. McCutchen leads all of baseball with a .359 Batting Average and is third in the NL with a WAR of 4.2. McCutchen is on pace for a triple slash line of .356/.410/.603. Since 1900 only two players have ever had a season in which they hit .345 or better, with 200 hits, 25 steals, 25 homers, a .400 OBP and a 1.000 OPS: Larry Walker in 1997 (in Denver) and Willie Mays in 1958. Andrew McCutchen is having a great year.
Also in the Hunt: Joey Votto, David Wright, Ryan Braun, Yadier Molina
AL CY Young: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
Chris Sale always had a promising young arm but this year he has become an unstoppable southpaw. At the beginning of the season it was unsure whether Sale would be starting or coming out of the bullpen but new manager Robin Ventura and GM Ken Williams made the right call in moving him to the rotation. Sale hasn't disappointed going 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA and 98 strikeouts to go with a 0.95 WHIP. That's a very good first half from a young arm on a first place team.
Also in the Hunt: Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Jake Peavy, David Price
NL CY Young: R.A. Dickey, New York Mets
No knuckleballer has ever won the Cy Young Award and Dickey may be the first if he keeps up his current numbers. Dickey is 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA and 123 strikeouts. Dickey's back to back 1-Hit Shutouts were two of the best pitched games this year as hitters had no chance against the knuckler. Dickey's xFIP- ranks top in the league and has been dominant in practically every start.
http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/era-fip-xfip/ Not only has this been a great year for Dickey on the bump, but he also had a best-selling book hit the press this winter. The book was a hit with baseball lovers and non-baseball lovers alike.
Also in the Hunt: Gio Gonzalez, James McDonald, Zack Greinke, Matt Cain
AL Rookie of the Year: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
If you're the MVP as a rookie, you will take home the Rookie of the Year. See above.
Also in the Hunt: Yu Darvish, Will Middlebrooks, Jarrod Parker
NL Rookie of the Year: Wade Miley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Miley is 9-5 with a 3.04 ERA and leads all National League rookies in WAR at 2.0. Miley's 1.09 WHIP leads all rookies and shows his ability to not allow a lot of baserunners. Despite playing for a sub-.500 team, Miley is putting up a great year.
Also in the Hunt: Bryce Harper, Wilson Rosario, Zack Cozart
AL Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles
Showalter has transformed the attitude about baseball in the city of Baltimore since taking the reign in 2010. With the Orioles pitching rotation the way it is, Baltimore has no business being in the playoff hunt but because of Showalter's tactics they are.
Also in the Hunt: Robin Ventura, Mike Scoscia, Manny Acta, Joe Maddon
NL Manager of the Year: Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates averaged 2.9 Runs per Game in April and May but yet go into the break not only 11 games above .500 but also in first place in the National League Central. The Cardinals and Reds have more talent than the Pirates but Hurdle's managing of the team has allowed them to play great baseball the past month.
Also in the Hunt: Davey Johnson, Dusty Baker, Terry Collins, Bruce Bochy
AL Least Valuable Player: Jonathan Sanchez, Kansas City Royals
This past offseason, the Royals traded Melky Cabrera for Jonathan Sanchez. Sanchez has gone1-4 with a 6.80 ERA and more walks(40) than strikeouts(32). Meanwhile, Cabrera is the starting centerfielder for the National League All Star team.
NL Least Valuable Player: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants/Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers
Lincecum is 3-9 with a 6.08 ERA. Not exactly what the Giants were expecting going into the season. Lincecum is a 2-Time Cy Young Award Winner but a Cy Young Winner doesn't put up those numbers. I'm expecting a better second half from "The Freak." Meanwhile, Rickie Weeks is hitting .193 and has struck out 100 times and has gotten 59 hits. That isn't good. Weeks participated in the Home Run Derby last year. Not exactly the numbers you'd expect from an All Star second baseman just the year before
Most Impressive Prospect: Wil Meyers, Kansas City Royals/Billy Hamilton, Cincinnatti Reds
Wil Meyers is having an amazing year in the Royals Farm System. He is hitting .333 on the year with 27 Home Runs and 72 RBI. Look for the Royals to try and trade Jeff Franceour to open up a spot for Meyers. In 82 games this season, Hamilton has swiped 104 bases. 104 stolen bases. Let your mind ponder 104 steals in 82 games. He's also hitting .323.
