August Awards

I am back after a much-needed break. I will continue to post every weekend from now on.

This week I will give my August Awards. These are who I think would be the most deserving if the season ended today. These stats are as of the morning of September 3^rd.

 

Rangers Awards:

 

MVP: Adrian Beltre, TEX (.318 AVG, 27 HR, 84 RBI) – Even though Adrian’s numbers aren’t as good as Josh’s, he has been much more consistent that Josh, and you can’t overlook just how important Beltre’s Gold Glove caliber defense is.

Runner-up: Josh Hamilton, TEX (.290 AVG, 37 HR, 113 RBI)

 

Cy Young: Matt Harrison, TEX (15-8, 3.30 ERA, 106 K) – Matt, one of an amazing 8 Rangers All-Stars, is one of the league leaders in wins and has a very good ERA. While I am worried about his mental toughness in the playoffs, there is no question he is the Rangers’ Cy Young through August.

Runner-up: Joe Nathan, TEX (28 SV, 2.45 ERA, 65 K)

 

Rookie of the Year: Robbie Ross, TEX (6-0, 1.78 ERA, 43 K) – Robbie, despite currently being on the DL, has been fantastic this year, with an ERA under 1.00 well into the season. Even after a recent rough stretch, he still has a sub-2.00 ERA and has been a key part to a great Rangers bullpen.

Runner-up: Brandon Snyder, TEX (.281 AVG, 3 HR, 9 RBI)

 

AL Awards:

 

MVP: Miguel Cabrera, DET (.331 AVG, 33 HR, 111 RBI) – Miguel still has a shot at the Triple Crown, as he is just behind Mike Trout for batting average, right behind Josh Hamilton for RBIs, and is fairly close to Adam Dunn and Hamilton for home runs.

Runner-up: Adrian Beltre, TEX (.318 AVG, 27 HR, 84 RBI)

 

Cy Young: David Price, TB (17-5, 2.54 ERA, 175 K) – David leads the AL in wins, is second in ERA, and has been unbelievable ever since the All-Star break. Don’t see how you could argue against him.

Runner-up: Felix Hernandez, SEA (13-6, 2.51 ERA, 191 K)

 

Rookie of the Year: Mike Trout, LAA (.333 AVG, 25 HR, 74 RBI) – As much as I hate giving an Angel an award, there’s no debating it – Mike Trout is the Rookie of the Year.

Runner-up: Scott Diamond, MIN (10-6, 3.21 ERA, 73 K)

 

Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter, BAL (74-59, 2^nd place) – The Orioles are a team that I said had “absolutely no chance” before the season, and now they are a wild card team that is 1 game out of first place. This one’s gotta be Buck.

Runner-up: Robin Ventura, CWS (72-61, t-1^st place)

 

NL Awards:

 

MVP: Buster Posey, SF (.329 AVG, 19 HR, 83 RBI) – A lot of people have been saying Andrew McCutchen, but I look at the numbers, and I just don’t see it. Posey has been a monster the second half of the season, and has solid to great numbers in just about every statistical category.

Runner-up: Matt Holliday, STL (.305 AVG, 25 HR, 92 RBI)

 

Cy Young: Johnny Cueto, CIN (17-6, 2.48 ERA, 144 K) – Johnny is tied for first in baseball in wins and leads the NL in ERA. He has definitely been the best National League starter so far this year, but his teammate, Aroldis Chapman, may pose the biggest threat to Cueto’s Cy Young bid.

Runner-up: Aroldis Chapman, CIN (34 SV, 1.25 ERA, 115 K)
 

Rookie of the Year: Todd Frazier, CIN (.292 AVG, 18 HR, 62 RBI) – Todd really stepped up once Joey Votto went on the DL, and he has a very solid batting average (with a good amount of home runs and RBIs), along with some great defense. Even though Wade Miley has been great, Frazier is more deserving.

Runner-up: Wade Miley, ARI (14-9, 2.90 ERA, 117 K)
 

Manager of the Year: Clint Hurdle, PIT (70-63, 3^rd place) – Most people seem to be giving this award to Davey Johnson, but I expected them to be good, and projected them as a wild card before the season. However, I didn’t expect the Pirates to be any good at all, so I think Hurdle is more deserving.

Runner-up: Davey Johnson, WSH (81-52, 1^st place)

 

Come back next week for my mid-September postseason predictions.