MLB Award Predictions

Even though the season isn't technically over (Rockies and Padres still have one game decider for the playoffs), I'm going to list my predictions for MVP, CY Young, and Rookie of the Year.


AL MVP-Alex Rodriguez
Reason-This is pretty obvious. The MVP is going to come from a playoff team and there is no batter that comes close to A-Rod's stats. He has a league high 54 Home Runs and a league high 156 RBIs all while batting a very good .314. Without this guy there is no way the Yanks would be in the playoffs.
Possible Upset-Josh Beckett
ReasonThere really is no possible upset for this, but if there was it wouldn't be coming from a batter. Josh Beckett, the only 20 game winner in the MLB (unless Peavy wins tonight), could be a possible upset (although I highly doubt it). The Red Sox only won the division by 2 games so without Beckett's 20 wins there is a chance that these Sox would be a wildcard team instead.


NL MVP-Jimmy Rollins
Reason-David Wright would be winning this if the Mets made it to the playoffs, but now that they're out it is all Jimmy Rollins. At first glance his stats might not seem impressive, but take a closer look. He's hit for a good .294 while smacking 30 homers, 20 triples, 38 doubles, and stealing 41 bags. He is only the fourth player in the history of baseball to have 20 or more in these 4 categories. Not only that, the Phillies last month surge couldn't have possible happened without the bat of Rollins.
Possible Upset-Matt Holliday
Reason-I personally think he deserves it over Jimmy Rollins especially if the Rockies make the playoffs. He has an NL best .340 Batting Average, a 2nd NL best 135 RBIs (only one behind Ryan Howard), and is 4th in the NL in Home Runs with 36. Lets not fail to mention his 50 doubles and 214! hits. If the Rockies make the playoffs don't be surprised if he wins.


AL CY Young-Josh Beckett
Reason-Until September I wouldn't have picked him for the CY Young, but Josh Beckett has proven himself worthy of this honor. He is currently the only 20 game winner (depending on Peavy's performance tonight) with a fantastic 20-7 record. His ERA of .327 ranks 6th in the AL. He is also ranked 7th in the AL with 194 strikeouts. If Haren didn't have as big of a collapse as he did I would have to give the CY to him, but Beckett has proven himself the entire season.
Possible Upset-C.C. Sabathia
Reason-There are a few good candidates for the upset (Bedard, Haren, Lackey..just to name a few), but Sabathia has the edge on all of them. His 19-7 record is just one win shy of Beckett's record. He also is ranked 5th in the AL with a 3.21 ERA and is also 5th in the AL with 209 strikeouts. He actually is quite even with Beckett, but the 20 wins that Beckett put up could be the deciding factor.


NL CY Young-Jake Peavy
Reason-Pretty obvious pick. He is number one by far in the NL with a 2.36 ERA, has the best record with 19-6, and is number in strikeouts with 234. He's number one in EVERYTHING. It is absoultely impossible for him to lose even if he blows it today against the Rockies.
Possible Upset-Brad Penny
Reason-Not even a possibility, but he is, in my opinion, the next best candidate. He finsihed the season with an outstanding record of 16-4 and is number 3 in the NL with a 3.03 ERA. Again, he's not going to be picked, but he is the second best choice (you can make a case for Harang or Webb, but I don't agree).


AL Rookie of the Year-Hideki Okajima
Reason-He might have slowed down near the end of the season, but a 2.22 ERA in 69 innings pitches is still pretty remarkable. Lets not forget his K/BB ratio of
3.71 which is absoultely ridiculous. He has given 0 unearned runs as well which should be taken into account as well.
Possible Upset-Dustin Pedroia
Reasion-Not really an upset. He's actually a great option for Rookie of the Year. His .317 batting average and .380 OBP are quite impressive for anybody let alone a rookie. Besides David Ortiz, he is establishing himself as the best hitter on the Sox.

NL Rookie of the Year-Ryan Braun
Reasion-I don't care what anyone says, he HANDS DOWN deserves the award. He was the quickest in the history of the Brewers to hit 30 Home Runs. In just 451 at bats he hit 34 Home Runs and 97 RBIs while also batting .324. Imagine another 125 at bats under his belt (which would be what he would have had if he played a full season). He would have ended up with about 44 Home Runs, 124 RBIs, and 20SBs. Add that with his .324 batting average and those are MVP numbers right there. People have been shouting Tulowitzki for this award, but Braun stacks up dominantly against him.
Possible Upset-Troy Tulowitzki
Reason-The only reason that Tulowitzki could win this award is defense. Braun had a horrific 26 errors for the season (Tulowitzki only had 11). Other than that, his numbers are quite impressive as a rookie, but just don't compare to Braun's. He hit for .287 this season, 24 home runs, and 98 RBIs. Great numbers for anybody (not just a rookie), but it just doesn't compare to Braun (Pence would be the possible upset by the way if it wasn't for his injury).