MLB Awards

By: Mike Rifkin

With the MLB All Star Game upon us here is how I would vote for each award.

AMERICAN LEAGUE 

MVP : Aaron Judge – Yankees : Judge on Sunday tied a Yankees record by hitting his 33rd Home Run before the All Star Break. His 70 RBI’S are the most for a Yankee in 12 seasons. Every time the Yankees needed a big hit Judge has been the guy that has delivered. Other candidates: Yordan Alvarez (HOU), Shohei Ohtani (LAA) 

Cy Young/Comeback Player Of The Year : Justin Verlander – Astros : 12-3 with a 1.89 ERA and 108 strikeouts two years after Tommy John Surgery. Verlander has been great for the first place Astros. Cy Young Other candidates : Shane McClanahan ( Rays) Dylan Cease ( White Sox), Shohei Ohtani (Angels) Comeback Player Of The Year other candidate : Mike Trout (Angels)

Manager Of The Year : Scott Servais – Mariners: Yes this is more of what is currently happening here as the Mariners have won 14 consecutive games prior to the break. The Mariners currently own the second wild card in the AL. Other candidate : Aaron Boone (Yankees), Terry Francona (Guardians), Brandon Hyde (Orioles) 

Rookie Of The Year : Julio Rodriguez – Mariners : Rodriguez is four home runs shy of a 20/20 season. He already has 21 stolen bases and has a slash line of .275/.337.477. Other candidates: Jeremy Pena  (Astros), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)

National League 

MVP : Paul Goldschmidt – Goldschmidt leads the NL in Average, On Base Percentage, Slugging percentage, OPS, and runs scored. He is top ten in Home Runs and is second in RBI. Goldschmidt leads the Cardinals in all offensive categories all while still playing Gold Glove First Base. Where would the Cardinals be without Goldschmidt? Other Candidates: Pete Alonso (Mets), Austin Riley (Braves), Manny Machado (Padres), Freddie Freeman (Dodgers)

Cy Young : Sandy Alcantra : Marlins – 13 consecutive starts of going at least seven innings is where I start this. Alcantra (who should start the ASG for the NL) is 9-4 with a 1.76 ERA. And if he had more offensive support he could have a better record. Other Candidates : Max Fried (Braves), Tony Gonsolin (Dodgers), Corbin Burnes (Brewers), Carlos Rodon (Giants)

Manager Of The Year : Buck Showalter – Mets – Showalter has led the Mets to a very impressive first half. Jacob DeGrom has not thrown a pitch in the Majors and Max Scherzer missed six weeks due to an oblique injury yet the Mets are still in first place in the East. This team has taken on the personality of their manager. Other Candidates : Brian Snitker (Braves), Bob Melvin (Padres)

Rookie Of The Year : Spencer Strider – Braves : Strider has one of the better mustaches in baseball currently as well as sporting a 3.03 ERA. Strider has come out of the bullpen and started for the Braves. He has 114 strikeouts in 74.1 innings pitched. Other Candidates : Michael Harris (Braves), Nolan Gorman (Cardinals), Seiya Suzuki (Cubs)

Comeback Player Of The Year :  Ronald Acuna Jr.-  Braves: Acuna tore his ACL last season. The Braves were very cautious with the young superstar and he has been very good since returning to the lineup Acuna has a slash line of .265/.363/.413. Showing no after affects of the injury Acuna already has 20 stolen bases this season.