The Major League Baseball regular season is quickly coming to a close, and that means that every writer in America will be giving their predictions for both the post-season awards and the playoffs, so I might as well jump on that bandwagon. Here are my picks for the major post-season awards in Major League Baseball.
AMERICAN LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:
Josh Donaldson, 3B Toronto Blue Jays
Josh Donaldson has been the acquisition of the year, and it’s not even close. He has single-handedly pushed the Blue Jays to their first playoff appearance since 1993 (Shout out to you, Joe Carter). Donaldson is the leader of a division champion team, and has the numbers to please the stat-driven award voters. Donaldson is leading the league with 120 RBIs and is in the top five in HR's, runs, doubles, slugging and OPS. War Eagle, Josh.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CY YOUNG:
David Price, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays front office deserves a raise, because along with the acquisition of Donaldson in the off-season, they also got Troy Tulowitzki, and the odds for favorite for the AL Cy Young David Price at the trade deadline. Price has been basically unhittable since being traded from Detroit to Toronto, and has been the rock-solid anchor in the Blue Jays push to the playoffs.
AMERICAN LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE YEAR:
AJ Hinch, Houston Astros
The Astros have won no more than 70 games in the past what seems like 10 years. They haven’t been good since 2005, when they lost to the White Sox in the World Series. They are young and weren’t supposed to be good until next year, but they are scary good already. This race is the tightest of all the awards, with several managers vying for the position. Paul Molitor, Jeff Bannister, and John Gibbons are all deserving candidates, but Hinch really deserves it.
AMERICAN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros
The Astros are completely loaded with young talent, but Correa is the best they have. He leads AL rookies in just about every major offensive category. He will be the Shortstop of the Astros for a long time, and he will be the center piece of that organization, alongside Jose Altuve.
NATIONAL LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:
Bryce Harper, OF Washington Nationals
This one is really a no-brainer. Bryce leads the world in just about every offensive category, as well as most hair flips. Bryce is finally playing up to his potential. Now he just needs his teammates to stay healthy so the Nats can make a run at a title.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CY YOUNG:
Jake Arrieta, SP Chicago Cubs
Talk about getting hot at the right time. Jake Arrieta has been ON FIRE in the second half. Leading the league in every pitching category but ERA, Arrieta has dragged his team through the mud and muck of the NL Central to a playoff bid. He will most likely start the NL Wild Card game in Pittsburgh, and it will be tough to bet against him.
NATIONAL LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE YEAR:
Mike Matheny, St. Louis Cardinals
I’ll be honest: I am a diehard Cardinals fan, but I honestly believe Matheny has earned this award. Think about the injuries the Cardinals have had to deal with: Wainwright, Holliday, Adams, Carpenter, Jon Jay, Grichuk, Walden, Belisle. Every one of these players at the beginning of the year was supposed to be a major contributor for the Cards. The job Matheny has done putting minor leaguers in the position to win is nothing short of phenomenal. The Cardinals will finish the season with the best record in the Majors with over 100 wins and an NL Central title.
NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs
This guy was supposed to be good, but no one thought he would be this good. Bryant leads all rookies in HRs, RBIs and teenage girl squeals. He, along with Anthony Rizzo, have led the Southsiders to the playoffs for the first time since 2003. He will be a great player in the NL Central for a very long time.
