On the eve of the MLB postseason it’s time to look at which players will be taking home some individual hardware for their stellar play during the regular season. Here’s my picks.
American League Cy Young Award
C.C Sabathia has to be the favorite to win this award. The power left hander for the Yankees went 21-7 on the year and was absolutely dominant, especially at home for the Yankees. He’ll face competition from David Price and King Felix but it will be an upset if Sabathia doesn’t walk away with the award. It should be noted that King Felix Hernandez from the Mariners, probably would have won it if he played for a half decent team. He went 13-12 on the year, but in those 12 losses, he only gave up 13 runs, that’s the definition of your team letting you down.
National League Cy Young Award
In the National League, it really shouldn’t even be close, Roy Halladay is hands down the best pitcher in the league. He threw a perfect game, was dominant all year long, lead the league in complete games and won 20 games. Enough said.
American League MVP
This race would have been a lot closer if Josh Hamilton hadn’t gotten injured for entire last month of the regular season. Hamilton was almost guaranteed to be the AL MVP with his .361 BA and huge power numbers. But that injury cost him and Robinson Cano, who is without a doubt the smoothest player in baseball should take home the MVP hardware. Cano collected 200 hits and hit over 25 homeruns and batted in over 100 RBI’s this year, which are gaudy numbers for second baseman. Additionally, Cano was solid in the field and when you look at Cano’s numbers for the last two seasons, they’re some of the best number ever recorded for a second baseman.
National League MVP
When you have names like Carlos Gonzalez and Albert Pujols in the mix, it’s a tough call, but I’m going to go ahead pick Joey Votto to win this award this year. Votto had a career year and while Votto will be leading the Reds to their first postseason in 15 years, his other two competitors will be on vacation.
NL Rookie of the Year
Buster Posey the catcher for the Giants should have this award on lock. Jaime Garcia had a fine campaign as a starting pitcher for the Cards, but making the postseason has to count for something and playing catcher as a rookie and the oustanding defensive job Posey did behind the plate should push him through. Although the Atlanta Braves slugger Jason Heyward should get some honorable mention.
AL Rookie of the Year
Austin Jackson should be a shoe in for the AL Rookie of the year, it’s not often that rookie can step in bat above .300.
Now sportsbooks can move their focus to the hardware that counts the most. Who will be the ALCS MVP? Who will be the NLCS MVP? And who will be the World Series MVP?
