The once blank stat sheets are now filled, the aroma of the fresh-cut grass has since been flushed out by the stomping and tearing of spiked cleats, and the sound of the perforated edges of brand new season tickets tearing is but a distant memory. The 2011 MLB season is halfway through and the lead actors of the show have already emerged. Here are my picks for the "So-Far Awards":
American League
Rookie of the Year: Michael Pineda (SEA, SP)
I was tempted to go with the Angels' Mark Trumbo here because of the way the standings look as of now, but all things considered, I think Pineda has earned it. He has been able to match teammate and reigning Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez pitch-for-pitch and has benefited from the lack of pressure placed upon him. He is 8-6 through 18 starts with an 3.03 ERA and has the lowest H/9IP on the starting rotation (6.5) and leads the AL in K/9 (9.0).
Honorable mention: Mark Trumbo (LAA, 1B)
Cy Young: Justin Verlander (DET, SP)
This was a no-brainer pick for me. I'm sure you could make a case for C.C. Sabathia, the current leader in Wins, or Jered Weaver, the current ERA leader, but Verlander has outshined them both by a considerable amount. He is second in Wins (12) and ERA (2.15) and is first in each of the following categories: IP (151.0), Ks (147), WHIP (0.87). He has also thrown his second no-hitter and has come close to throwing another. I can guarantee you American League hitters have been having nightmares about Verlander.
Honorable mention: Jered Weaver (LAA, SP), C.C. Sabathia (NYY, SP)
MVP: Adrian Gonzalez (BOS, 1B)
This was a tough call for me. Gonzalez and Toronto's Jose Bautista are 1-2 in virtually every offensive statistic, but I've given Gonzo the edge based on the fact that the Red Sox are leading the division and the Blue Jays are 2 games under .500, 11 games back of the Sox, and are currently in 4th place in the AL East. I don't care how good of a season you're having; if your team is in the cellar of your division, you can't win the MVP. Gonzo is batting .354 with 17 HR, 77 RBI, and a 1.006 OPS.
Honorable mention: José Bautista (TOR, OF)
National League
Honorable mention: José Bautista (TOR, OF)
National League
Rookie of the Year: Freddie Freeman (ATL, 1B)
The 21-year-old phenom is off to a stellar start to his rookie season, for which many fans had set prior expectations. His bat bolsters the high-powered Atlanta offense and is a big reason why the Braves have been able to keep pace with the Philadelphia Phillies (currently sitting 3.5 games back). Freeman is batting .274 with 13 round-trippers, 43 RBI, and has a .347 OBP. Freddie and good pal Jason Heyward (also a 21-year-old) look to be a feared tandem for seasons to come.
Honorable mention: Danny Espinosa (WSH, 2B), Darwin Barney (CHC, 2B)
Cy Young: Jair Jurrjens (ATL, SP)
His name just as difficult to spell as it is to pronounce. And batters have found that he is equally difficult to hit. Jurrjens' microscopic 1.87 ERA (1st in NL), 12 wins (1st), and his consistency (.800 win percentage) have paced the Braves' starting rotation and earned him his first All-Star selection.
Honorable mention: Roy Halladay (PHI, SP)
MVP: Prince Fielder (MIL, 1B)
The Dodger fan in me begs to give the nod to Matt Kemp, but the realist knows that no cellar-dweller can produce the MVP, regardless of how ridiculously good his stats are. I'm giving Prince the edge over the New York Mets' Jose Reyes here, mainly because I don't see Reyes as an MVP-caliber guy. Fielder has knocked in a league-leading 72 runs to add to his 22 bombs and is only adding to his resumé, which will come into play this winter when he becomes a free agent. He has the Brew Crew sitting atop the NL Central, tied with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Honorable mention: José Reyes (NYM, SS), Matt Kemp (LAD, OF)
