We reached the halfway checkpoint for Major League Baseball and hell yeah it flew by. The All-Star Game in Minnesota is in the books and we're ready to kick this season back into drive. These past few days have been brutally uneventful for a fan, to say the least. So as the All-Star break is winding down, I have my midseason awards and projections for the rest of the season.
AL MVP: Mike Trout
The five-tool Trout was snubbed last season for MVP as Chris Davis and Miguel Cabrera had monstrous numbers to surpass him. This season, Trout is on a mission to not only win MVP, but to carry the Angels to the playoffs. Trout has already begun his operation by winning the All-Star Game MVP over heavily favorite Derek Jeter. Trout is carrying the Angels, batting .310 with 22 HRs and 73 RBIs. To get even more sabermetrically technical, he holds a 5.5 WAR (Wins Above Replacement).
NL MVP: Troy Tulowitzki
Troy Tulowitzki seems to be a runaway train in this NL MVP race. Although the Rockies are at the bottom of the NL West division and unlikely to be in the postseason, Tulo's numbers are too good to be denied. He leads the National League in batting average (.345), Home Runs (21), and Wins Above Replacement (5.7). His excellent gold glove-worthy defense compliments his batting as well.
AL CY YOUNG: Felix Hernandez
The King has made his mark once again. He started for the American League in the All-Star Game and his numbers can support his selection. Hernandez is 11-2, with a microscopic 2.12 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He punched out 154 batters this season so far, leaving him behind David Price in strikeout leaders in the AL. Mariners currently hold the two seed in the AL Wild Card Standings due to a major proportion of King Hernandez's success.
NL CY YOUNG: Adam Wainwright
Year after year, Adam Wainwright continues to shine as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. Wainwright holds a record of 12-4, with an incredible 1.83 ERA and 0.91 WHIP this season. He has been carrying the Cardinals through a jam-packed NL Central. To help his cause, he started for the National League in the All-Star Game (but we won't mention him grooving pitches to Jeter).
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Jose Abreu
With Masahiro Tanaka out indefinitely, this race is long gone. You can make the case for Abreu to be the AL MVP, let alone the Rookie of the Year. The White Sox only spent $8 million in the offseason for Jose Abreu and every penny has been worthwhile. Hawk Harrelson, White Sox broadcaster, has a field day when the Cuban comes to bat. Jose Abreu leads the entire league with 29 HRs and lands in a close fourth in RBIs (73). We'll definitely be hearing a lot more of, "Stretch, Stretch, Stretch, You Can Put It On The Boarddd! Yes!" from Hawk this season.
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Billy Hamilton
There's not much competition to be looked at in this award at all. Billy Hamilton is running left and right on catchers and should run his way to the NL Rookie of the Year award as well. The only other competition I see is maybe Jacob deGrom of the Mets. Hamilton has stolen 38 bags too go along with a .285 average and 35 RBIs.
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Bob Melvin
Bob Melvin's Oakland Athletics have plowed through the entire league with a bunch of scrappy, makeshift players nobody else wanted. The Athletics are 59-36 with a point differential of +145, placing them at the top of the totem pole.
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Ron Roenicke
The Brewers are trying to fend off the fighting NL Central. Regardless of the outcome for the Brew Crew, I see Ron Roenicke winning this award. He has done an extraordinary job with the players he was handed. Ryan Braun coming off suspension, Jonathan Lucroy having an MVP-caliber season, Francisco Rodriguez back to normal, Scooter Gennett out of nowhere.
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