MLB Midseason Awards

With the All-Star break upon us here are my choices for the major awards for the first half of the year.

NL MVP- Albert Pujols, Cardinals
There is absolutely no debating this award. Pujols has hands down been the best player in National League so far this year. Pujols is hitting .332 with 32 HR and 87 RBI. Pujols has a chance to win the NL triple crown, he is only 17 points behind Florida's Hanley Ramirez.
Runner-up: Raul Ibanez, Phillies .309 avg. 22 HR 60 RBI

AL MVP: Joe Mauer, Twins
Mauer has not missed a beat this year hitting the ball, although he has missed a lot of games. Mauer was on the DL for the first month of the season andjust became eligible last week for the AL batting title. Mauer is batting .373 this year, 11 points ahead of Ichiro, who usually wins the AL batting title. Mauer is also putting up career high power numbers with 15 HR and 49 RBI. The 15 HR are his career high at the All-Star break, and Mauer will certainly hit his career high number of home runs for a season.
Runner-up: Ichiro Suzuki, .362 avg, 6 HR, 128 hits, 19 SB

NL Cy Young: Jason Marquis, Rockies
Marquis would not be a candidate at the beginning of the year, going to Colorado and becoming their ace. But at the All-Star break, Marquis leads the NL in wins (11) and surprisingly only has 58 strikeouts, while pitching a hitter's park, Coors Field.

Runner-up: Tim Lincecum, Giants 10-2 2.33 ERA, 149 strikeouts

AL Cy Young: Tim Wakefield, Red Sox
Wakefield's knuckle ball has been confusing hitters and catchers for over 15 years, and now Wakefield is 11-3 in a pitching staff with the likes of Josh Beckett, John Smoltz, and Jon Lester. Wakefield has been named to his first all-star game and it will be interesting to see how his catcher in the all-star game handles the knuckle ball.

Runner-up: Zach Greinke, Royals 10-5, 2.12 ERA 129 strikeouts, 5 complete games.

NL Rookie of the Year: Pablo Sandoval, Giants
Sandoval barely missed out on the All-Star game losing the final vote to Shane Victorino but Sandoval deserves it. He has 15 HR and 55 RBI with a .333 average this season. If Sandoval, playing first and third base this year continues this pace he will win Rookie of the Year.
Runner-up: J.A. Happ, Phillies 6-0 in 10 starts, 2.90 ERA

AL Rookie of the Year: Rick Porcello, Tigers
Porcello impressed many people around baseball with his quick start and although he has slowed down a bit he is still 8-6 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Porcello has been one of the keys to the rotation after Justin Verlander for the Tigers.
Runner-up: Nolan Reimold, Orioles 9HR, 23 RBI, .257 avg.

NL Manager of the Year: Joe Torre, Dodgers
Torre has led the Dodgers to the best record in baseball at 56-32. The Dodgers also faced the loss of Manny Ramirez for 50 games to a drug suspension. Torre's success has continued from last year after his move from New York and the Dodgers are by far one of the favorites to win the NL pennant.
Runner-up: Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins, 46-44, 4 GB in NL East

AL Manager of the Year: Ron Washington, Rangers
Washington has turned this team of mostly youngsters into a contending team. With prospects from the Mark Texeira trade (Elvis Andrus, Jarrod Saltalamacchia) and talented prospects (Taylor Teagarden, Scott Feldman, and David Murphy) and a mix of well-tested veterans (Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Kevin Millwood and Andruw Jones), and being only 1 1/2 games out, the Rangers have the talent to test the Angels throughout the second half in the AL West.
Runner-up: Terry Francona, Red Sox, 54-34, 3 games ahead in AL East.

Postseason Predictions:

AL East Champ: Red Sox
AL Central Champ: Tigers
AL West Champ: Angels
AL Wild Card: Rangers

ALCS: Red Sox over Angels in 6

NL East Champ: Phillies
NL Central Champ: Cardinals
NL West Champ: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Giants

NLCS: Dodgers over Cardinals in 5

World Series: Red Sox over Dodgers in 6
MVP: Jason Bay