Normally I do allstar predictions but I kind of forgot about that this year so instead I’m going to switch it up and do midseason awards.
NL Rookie of the Year
Winner: Trevor Rogers
As of right now Rogers is the run away candidate for rookie of the year. 2.31 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 18 starts so far. He was the only NL rookie to make the allstar team. Barring a meltdown or another player going on an insane 2nd half run, he should win the award for the year.
Runner up: Ian Anderson
Anderson was a ROTY candidate last year and because of the shortened season, he is still a rookie this year. He is not doing as well as he didn’t in his couple of starts last year but is still putting up a solid 3.56 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 18 starts. He could give Rogers a run if he gets hot.
Players to watch: Jazz Chisholm, Dylan Carlson, Pavin Smith
AL Rookie of the Year
Winner: Adolis Garcia
Garcia is having an outstanding year. 22 homeruns, 62 RBIs, .840 OPS. He was the only AL rookie allstar. Why did the Cardinals give him away? It hurts.
Runner up: Randy Arozarena
Arozarena set the record for most home runs in a post season and now he is a rookie of the year candidate. Baseball is weird. Arozarena is having a solid year. 10 homeruns, 41 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, .733 OPS. He would need to get hot to catch Garcia but we have seen he is capable of doing that. Why did the Cardinals trade him away? It hurts.
Players to watch: Akil Badoo, Ryan Mountcastle, Casey Mize
NL Cy Young
Winner: Jacob deGrom
It’s Jacob deGrom. The record for a starting pitcher’s ERA in a season is 1.12 by Bob Gibson in 1968. deGrom’s ERA this year is 1.08. Throw in an NL-leading 146 strikeouts. It’s Jacob deGrom.
Runner up: Kevin Gausman
No one is going to surpass deGrom but Gausman is having a career year. 1.73 ERA, 133 strikeouts, his first allstar game appearance. Leading the Giants to somehow having the best record in baseball. Heck of a year so far.
Players to watch: Zach Wheeler, Brandon Woodruff, Max Scherzer
AL Cy Young
Winner: Gerrit Cole
This one is interesting. Cole’s stats for the 1st half are great. 2.68 ERA, MLB-leading 147 strikeouts But his stats over the last month and a half are a mixed bag. ERA of 4.15. Good start then bad start. These coincide with baseball’s crackdown on pitchers using foreign substances. Coincidence? (If you having seen the video of Cole being asked if he’s ever used “spider tack”, click here and enjoy). It will be interesting to see how Cole does in the 2nd half.
Runner Up: Carlos Rodon
Rodon is having an outstanding year and he’s close with Cole for the award in my opinion. 2.31 ERA, tied for 2nd with 130 strikeouts. Rodon looks like he’s figured it out.
Players to watch: Lance Lynn, Robby Ray, Shane Bieber
NL MVP
Winner: Jacob deGrom
It takes a lot for a pitcher to win MVP but deGrom’s season is worth it. It’s historic. He’s the best pitcher of this generation.
Runner up: Fernando Tatis Jr.
If not a pitcher winning MVP then it’s Tatis Jr. He leads the NL with 28 homeruns, 20 stolen bases and a OPS of 1.020. He is an exciting player to watch and is every bit derserving. Why didn’t the Cardinals sign him as an amateur? It hurts.
Honorable Mention: Ronald Acuna Jr.
I wanted to throw this one in there because Acuna Jr. tore his ACL and won’t factor into the end of season awards but he was having a very great year. 24 homeruns, 17 stolen bases, .990 OPS. It would have been a good show between him and Tatis Jr the rest of the way.
Players to watch: Nick Castellanos, Brandon Crawford, Trea Turner
AL MVP
Winner Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani is leading MLB with 33 homeruns. He has 70 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and a 1.062 OPS. Oh and did I mention he is a pitcher as well? SP/DH Ohtani has made 13 starts with a 3.49 ERA and 87 strikeouts. This is Babe Ruth level stuff here.
Runner Up: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero Jr. is having an amazing season as well. 28 homeruns, 73 RBIs, 1.089 OPS. He was the Allstar Game MVP. I love watching Vlad Jr. play.
Players to watch: Marcus Semien, Carlos, Correa, Cedric Mullins
So that’s my list and my choices. This was different and I enjoyed it. Let me know what you think!
