The regular season has ended, my Astros having another record-setting season for worst team ever (15 straight losses to end the year!). The playoffs begin Tuesday night with the NL Wildcard between the Pirates and the Reds, but before then, here are my picks for the regular season awards.
Thrilling AL Wild Card game last night, with KC winning in 12 innings. NL Wild Card is tonight with Giants visiting Pirates. Before then, here are my picks for awards in baseball this year.
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (.287 AVG, 36 HR, 111 RBI)
Trout's overall batting average and stolen bases numbers are actually down, but he has career highs in home runs, RBIs, and the Angels won the AL West. Michael Brantley of Indians finishes a distant second.
NL MVP/Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (21-3, 1.77 ERA, 239K)
Not only should the best pitcher in baseball win the Cy Young, I think he is also deserving of the MVP, given his ridiculous record, minuscule ERA, gaudy strikeout totals. Also, the fact that the Dodgers won the NL West rather easily helps him best the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton, whose team was under .500.
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners (15-6, 2.14 ERA, 248 K)
King Felix wins his second Cy Young, with the lowest ERA and lowest WHIP in the AL since Pedro Martinez in 2000. Corey Cluber of the Indians finishes a close second.
AL Rookie of Year: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox (.317 AVG, 36 HR, 107 RBI)
The Cuban signing should finish in the top 5 of most AL MVP ballots, given his amazing hitting stats (5th in AL in average, 3rd in HR, 4th in RBI. There were big expectations bestowed on him before the year began, and he's only exceeded all of them. Dellin Betances of the Yankees finishes a very distant second.
NL Rookie of Year: Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds (.250 AVG, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 56 SB)
Hamilton was lethal on the bases, finishing second in the league in steals, behind only Dee Gordon. He also played outstanding defense in centerfield for the Red. Jacob de Grom of Mets finishes close second.
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