More than halfway through the 2011 season, it's time to start debating where the hardware will reside this year. Annual favorites Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer have spent significant time on the DL, and therefore are not in my discussion for MVP. Last year's NL pitching breakout, Ubaldo Jiminez has also spent time on the DL and has been mediocre off of the DL. The field is wide open, so let's start!
The Junior Circuit
AL MVP
The AL MVP contenders, in my opinion, all come from the same division: The AL East.
In his first year in Boston, Adrian Gonzalez has certainly been earning his paycheck. He leads the AL with a .342 average and 82 RBI. His 17 HR's aren't close to the league leader, but they're not be dismissed. His fielding percentage is a sparkling .996, only committing three errors which is third in the league behind Kotchman(1), and Teixeira(2).
Jose Bautista is shutting up many of his doubters this year, including me. I, like many people, thought that his power filled 2010 season was an aberration, or worse, a PED laden performance. This year is even better than last. Bautista is hitting a full .75 points higher than his career average, which currently resides at .329. What's more, his 31 HR's lead both leagues, and his 70 RBI are top 10 in the AL.
Kevin Long, the Yankees hitting coach, has been praised as one of the game's best, and rightfully so. Curtis Granderson has taken his tutelage, and turned it into his most productive season as a big leaguer. Granderson has always had some pop, but this year, he has already passed his career high in RBI, currently 76. He is almost a lock to pass his career high in HR which is 30. He currently has 27. He's also on track to surpass his career high in stolen bases and runs. Without Curtis Granderson, I'm not so sure the Yankees would be leading the wild card by 5.5 games.
How I rank them:
1. Adrian Gonzalez
2. Jose Bautista
3. Curtis Granderson
AL Cy Young
Jered Weaver started this year off on an absolute tear. His four losses came in consecutive games. And since then, he has won 8 in a row. I don't know what is more impressive. His ERA(1.79) or his WHIP(0.95). he has racked up 14 wins and just four losses.
Justin Verlander has become one of the most dominating pitchers in all of baseball. Arguably the very best. He has pitched to a paltry .90 WHIP and a 2.34 ERA. He's tied for second in the AL with 14 wins and just 5 losses. he leads the majors in strikeouts, and on top of all this he pitched his second no-hitter of his career this season.
C.C. Sabathia has been the epitome of a workhorse this year. In 23 starts, Sabathia has averaged 7 1/3 innings per outing, which is second best to Verlander. He leads the majors in wins with 15, to only 5 losses. Sabathia is second in the league in strikeouts with 156. His 2.59 ERA is good for 5th in the AL, and his 1.11 WHIP is good for 10th.
How I rank them:
1. Justin Verlander
2. Jered Weaver
3. C.C. Sabathia
Rookie of the Year
The gap at first base for the Angels has been filled nicely with Mark Trumbo. While not much of an on base guy, like most first basemen, Trumbo does have suitable power numbers. He has hit 18 home runs with 48 RBI. He's also not the slickest with his glove, but definitely worthy of being in the unning for Rookie of the Year.
Michael Pineda is having a stellar first year with the Seattle Mariners. Pineda's most impressive stat as a rookie is 1.09 WHIP, which is confusing when you take a look at his near 4 ERA(3.89). His 8-7 record does not do his stats justice.
Eric Hosmer is the Royals highly touted first base prospect. Seeing him first hand at Yankee Stadium, you could tell this kid was going to be a force in the American League. In his rookie campaign, he has hit .283 with 9 home runs, and 41 RBI. While his home runs are less than what Trumbo has put up, his RBI are in the same ballpark, and his OBP is about 50 points higher.
How I rank them:
1. Eric Hosmer
2. Michael Pineda
3. Mark Trumbo
AL Manager of the Year
If the Twins come back from their early season deficit, Ron Gardenhire will be a shoe in for manager of the year, but while they continue their ascent, let's debate the main contenders:
Manny Acta has the Indians playing competitively. Say what? The same Indians that haven't made any major acquisitions in two years, and have lost 97 and 93 games in the last two years? Yes, those same Indians. Will they win the division or the wild card. The wild card almost certainly not. The division, probably not. But the fact that Manny Acta has Cleveland over .500 in late July, speaks volumes to what kind of manager Acta has become.
Who thought the Texas Rangers, after losing its Ace in Cliff Lee, and one of their biggest run producers, Vladimir Guerrero, would be 14 games over .500 in late July? Everybody went with the Angels, and once again thought that the Seattle Mariners, who are mired in a 17 game losing streak, would contend. But Mike Maddox and Ron Washington have done a great job with the Texas pitching staff. Alexi Ogando has transformed from a dominating setup man to a dominating starting pitcher. And along with CJ Wilson, there is still a formidable 1-2 punch in that rotation.
Mike Scioscia always seems to be in the conversation of AL manger of the year. The loss of Kendrys Morales, no proven closer, and an aging outfield all seemed to be bad news for the Los Angeles Angels. But as long as steady Mike Scioscia is at the helm, your team will always contend. They have, arguably, the best 1-2 punch in the majors with Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. Back to the ways mike Scioscia likes to wins games this year. Small ball and pitching. It's not always a shut the door 9th with Jordan Walden, but he turned out to be a more suitable closer than Brian Fuentes.
How I rank them:
1. Manny Acta
2. Ron Washington
3. Mike Scioscia
