MLB: Joe Smeltzer’s 2016 Mid-season Awards

MVP: Kris Bryant

Stats: .286 Average, 25 Homers (1st in NL) 73 Runs (1st) 65 RBI (3rd) .962 OPS.

With all due respect to Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist, Bryant is the best player on the Cubs. While he may not quite be the best player in the National League, he is damn close to it; he is the best player on the best team. In my mind, a player who leads a great team has an edge over a player that is a tad better but doesn’t win as much. In spite of their recent struggles, the Cubbies are still the team to beat in the Senior Circuit in my eyes, and Bryant is the leading reason why.

Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw

Stats: 11-2, 1.79 ERA (1st) 3 shutouts (1st) 145 Strikeouts (4th)1.70 FIP (1st) 0.727 WHIP (1st) 0.7 BB/9 (1st)
You could debate me on this one, but you’d be foolish in doing so. Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball by a wide margin and is arguably one of the ten best of all time. Assuming his current injury is not more severe than it seems, Kershaw will be back in time take his 4th Cy Young Award.

Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager

Stats: .297 Average, 17 Homers, .879 OPS

Another Dodger. I had a hard time choosing between Seager and Trevor Story of the Rockies; both are the future of baseball at the shortstop position. But I went with Segar because;
1. His offensive numbers are slightly better than Story’s
2. He plays his home games in a pitchers paradise, while Story plays in a launching pad
3. The Dodgers have been better than the Rockies in the NL West.

When two players are close to each other regarding productivity, the tie for me goes to who has the better team. Seager is the driving force of an otherwise weak Dodger offense, and next to Kershaw, the biggest reason why they still have a chance to play in the postseason.

Rolaids relief man: Kenley Jansen

Stats: 27 Saves (2nd) 1.16 ERA (1st among NL closers) 0.647 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 1.34 FIP, 1.4 BB/9 

This was tough, as I had to choose between Jansen and our own Mark Melancon. I had to go with Jansen because, ultimately, his numbers in most categories were just a little better than those of “The Shark”.

The Dodgers and Pirates are both fighting to get to the postseason, and both have been helped greatly by their closers. You can’t go wrong with either Jansen or Melancon, but Kanley has done a slightly better job this season.

Next: American League Awards

MVP: Jose Altuve

Stats: .341 Average (1st in AL), 119 Hits (1st) 14 homers, 51 RBI, 23 steals, .954 OPS
I love writing this because Altuve has long been one of my favorite players. The AL MVP race should only be close if the Astros miss the playoffs. Should that take place (I don’t think it will) than Boston’s David Ortiz or Baltimore’s Manny Machado would be worthy recipients. While we all would love to see Ortiz win it in his final season, he has three other All-Stars with him in the lineup. So I’m going with Altuve, at least for now, because he is the unquestioned leader of the Astros. He has led the way in pulling Houston out of the depths of a horrendous April and has the ‘stros primed for a deep run in October. Nobody in the American League means more to their team.

Cy Young: Danny Salazar

Stats: 10-3, 2.75 ERA, 171 ERA+ (1st), 10.1 K/9, 3.39 FIP, 1.175 WHIP
The case for the AL Cy Young will be  more interesting than the NL, but I give Salazar the edge. Pitchers such as Chris Sale of the White Sox and Steven Wright of the Red Sox also have legitimate cases, but Salazar’s Indians are winning more than both of those teams. If Salazar doesn’t get injured, the ball is in his court.

Rookie of the Year: Michael Fulmer

Stats: 9-2, 2.11 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, 3.53 FIP
Things could take a turn for the worst in the second half, but for now, Fulmer is not only a slam-dunk rookie of the year choice, but he is also a dark horse Cy Young candidate. The 23-year-old had been the ace of the Tiger staff, and no other AL newcomer has made as big of an impact on their team as young Fulmer has.

Rolaids relief man: Zach Britton

Stats: 27 Saves (1st) 0.72 ERA (1st) 10.3 K/9, 0.823 WHIP, 2.03 FIP
Not even close. I didn’t realize how awesome Britton had been until I looked at his stats while deciding who to pick for this award. I was blown away. Britton is having a Rivera-esque season, and his Orioles are in the hunt. When the O’s lead after 8 innings, it’s over.

Next: Managers of the Year

NL Manager of the Year: Don Mattingly

Record: 47-41, tied for a Wildcard spot

This may be a surprise to some, as Bruce Bochy or Joe Madden might have been more expected for this honor. But, in my opinion, The Miami Marlins have been the most surprising team in the National League (no, I won’t give Pete Mackanin that much credit for making the Phillies suck a little less) and “Donnie Baseball” has been the driving force behind that. Marlins fans (both of them) should be very satisfied with the job Mattingly has done thus far. They should also be prepared for either;
A. Jeffery Loria getting sick of Mattingly or
B. Mattingly getting sick of him

Either way, the good feeling won’t last long. Miami has the worst owner in professional sports, and until they don’t, they will never be a long term contender.

AL Manager of the Year: Terry Francona

Record: 52-36, best in American League 
No debate here for me. The Tribe is ruling over the AL at the moment. Francona has established himself as one of the game’s sharpest minds over the past decade, and his Indians are the hottest team in baseball and are my pick to represent the AL in the Fall Classic. With respect to Buck Showalter (Baltimore) and Jeff Banister (Texas), Tito takes the cake. Go Tribe!

Next: What is Next

So, these are who I would give baseball’s individual awards to if the season were over today. As for how many of these picks will come true, I think Kris Bryant will be the National League MVP come seasons end, as his superstar numbers are showing no signs of not carrying over into the second half. I think the Corey Seager will beat out Trevor Story for NL Rookie of the Year, as the Dodgers winning more games and being in a bigger media market than Colorado will seal the deal for him. Clayton Kershaw will win his 4th Cy Young, although Johnny Cueto has more than a punchers chance, and I’m gonna drink the Kool-Aid and say that Mark Melancon will beat out Kenley Jansen for the Rolaids Relief Man.

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I expect the Marlins to fall off a little in the second half, but even if they don’t, I don’t see Donnie Baseball winning the NL MOY over a more conventional choice like Joe Madden, Bruce Bochy or Dusty Baker.

As for the AL, I think David Ortiz will be the league’s MVP due to the media’s affection for him (and for being a Red Sock). I see no reason why Danny Salazar won’t give Cleveland it’s second Cy Young winner in 3 seasons, and although I expect Michael Fulmer to fall off a tad in the second half, I still think his season will be good enough to take home ROY in the AL. Zach Britton is close to a lock to take home the Rolaids Relief Man.

I think Francona will take home MOY due to the Tribe being that much better than everybody else. That’s all for my mid-season awards. Agree/Disagree? State why in the comments section below.