May Awards

This week I will be posting my May Awards. These are who I think would deserve the awards if the season were to end today. 

Rangers Awards: 

MVP: Josh Hamilton, TEX (.354 AVG, 21 HR, 57 RBI) – Josh has been by far the best player in the American League so far this year. As he is the AL MVP, there is no question whether or not he is the Rangers MVP.

Runner-up: Nelson Cruz, TEX (.270 AVG, 8 HR, 36 RBI)

Cy Young: Yu Darvish, TEX (7-3, 3.34 ERA, 73 K) – Darvish has been the only consistent pitcher in the Rangers starting rotation, with seven wins, an ERA in the low 3.00s, and more strikeouts than innings pitched.

Runner-up: Joe Nathan, TEX (11 SV, 1.99 ERA, 27 K)

Rookie of the Year: Yu Darvish, TEX (7-3, 3.34 ERA, 73 K) – Like Josh with the MVP award, Darvish is the winner of this award for the entire American League, which makes him the default Rangers ROY.

Runner-up: Robbie Ross, TEX (5-0, 1.63 ERA, 18 K)

AL Awards:

MVP: Josh Hamilton, TEX (.354 AVG, 21 HR, 57 RBI) – Josh is second in the league in batting average, first in home runs, and first in RBIs. He is a legitimate Triple Crown threat if he can stay healthy.

Runner-up: Miguel Cabrera, DET (.318 AVG, 11 HR, 44 RBI)

Cy Young: Chris Sale, CWS (7-2, 2.30 ERA, 69 K) – Sale had an outstanding month of May (1.71 ERA), which lowered his solid 3.12 ERA one month into the season down to a Cy Young caliber 2.30, and the lowest ERA in the American League.

Runner-up: David Price, TB (7-3, 2.44 ERA, 62 K)

Rookie of the Year: Yu Darvish, TEX (7-3, 3.34 ERA, 73 K) – As I mentioned in the Rangers awards, Darvish has been consistent all year long. Yu has All-Star-caliber numbers as a rookie, which is very rare.

Runner-up: Mike Trout, LAA (.318 AVG, 5 HR, 20 RBI)

Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter, BAL (30-24, 2^nd place) – The Orioles were supposed to be one of the worst teams in baseball, with only the Padres, Twins, and maybe Cubs worse, but Buck has them playing well enough to be in position for one of the two wild cards two months into the season.

Runner-up: Robin Ventura, CWS (31-23, 1^st place)



NL Awards:

MVP: Joey Votto, CIN (.361 AVG, 9 HR, 33 RBI, .476 OBP) – Even though Joey hasn’t put up the kind of power numbers he normally has to this point in the year, his OBP of .476 is absolutely ridiculous.

Runner-up: Carlos Gonzalez, COL (.332 AVG, 14 HR, 45 RBI)

Cy Young: Gio Gonzalez, WAS (7-2, 2.31 ERA, 84 K) – The Nationals definitely made a good move when they acquired Gio from the A’s this offseason. He is currently tied for 4^th in the NL in wins, 3^rd in ERA, and 1^st in strikeouts.

Runner-up: James McDonald, PIT (5-2, 2.14 ERA, 71 K)

Rookie of the Year: Wade Miley, ARI (6-2, 2.72 ERA, 36 K) – The Arizona southpaw has been a bit of a surprise, with an ERA that has consistently been under 3.00, and a great 6-2 record on a 25-29 team.

Runner-up: Kirk Nieuwenhuis, NYM (.299 AVG, 3 HR, 19 RBI)

Manager of the Year: Clint Hurdle, PIT (27-26, 2^nd place) – Even though the Pirates are only a game over .500, that is still good enough for second place in the NL Central, and is much better than what was expected of them.

Runner-up: Dusty Baker, CIN (30-23, 1^st place)

Come back next week for an interview with Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers High Class-A affiliate) outfielder Jared Hoying.