All members of a baseball team will contend, whether we believe it or not, that a championship is more important than individual accolades. However, those that are up for these awards can revel in what has been a successful 2015 season.
“It’s an honor to be nominated,” they say. But it’s better to win. Here are the names we expect to do just that.
American League Rookie of the Year: Francisco Lindor
Lindor didn’t get to the big leagues until mid-June. His impact, though, was so significant to the Cleveland Indians that it helped vault the club into playoff contention by September. At shortstop, he posted a 4.5 defensive wins above replacement (WAR), the third best among position players during the second half. At bat, he hit .345 with 99 hits in that same span. In edging out Houston’s Carlos Correa, the Tribe’s face of the future is living up to lofty expectations so far.
National League Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant
This rookie race, on the other hand, is not as close. Matt Duffy and Jung Ho Kang’s fine seasons pale in comparison to the numbers put up by the Cubs’ third baseman. Even among a deep lineup of young talent, Bryant stands out. He trailed only Anthony Rizzo for team leadership in homers, runs batted in, hits, and walks. Being second is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you hit 26 HRs, drive in 99, tally 154 hits and draw 77 base on balls. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bryant move up to the ranks of MVP contender as soon as next year.
AL Manager of the Year: Jeff Banister
Remarkably, all three finalists – including Houston’s A.J. Hinch and Minnesota’s Paul Molitor – were first-year skippers. Yet the one among them who generated the most surprising turnaround resides in Arlington, TX. Any hopes the Rangers – who posted the AL’s worst record in 2014 – had of even attaining a .500 record sunk greatly when ace Yu Darvish was lost with an injury. Bannister’s club then defied those low expectations by going 38-22 from August 1 forward to capture the AL West – as the youthful talent began to flourish and the seasoned veterans regained form.
NL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon
On June 30, as the Cubs were in the midst of a slump, their manager – in the latest of his unusual tactics – brought in a magician to the clubhouse as a way of lightening the mood. In reality, it was Maddon who performed true wizardry. The North Siders may be crying over yet another season without a title, but they can’t deny the great optimism of what may lie ahead. After just one year in Chicago, Maddon has the Cubs well ahead of schedule – and overachieved by winning 97 games in a tough National League Central.
AL Cy Young: Dallas Keuchel
Keuchel was quite nasty during 2015. The definition of “nasty” changed depending on where he was pitching. However, his performances on the mound at Minute Maid Park (15-0, 1.46 ERA) far outweighed his outings away from Houston (5-8, 3.77). And that historic home record, not to mention an AL-best 1.02 WHIP and a 2.48 ERA, is more than enough to make him the winner – getting the nod over 18-game winner David Price.
Dallas Keuchel’s Cy Young scorecard: 1st in AL in wins; 2nd in innings, WHIP, ERA and WAR; 3rd in FIP and the always popular xFIP. @Astros
— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) September 1, 2015
NL Cy Young: Jake Arrieta
No surprise: it’s down to Greinke, Kershaw and Arrieta – the three who dominated opponents (not to mention the headlines). While it’s true that this is more an overall performance award rather than an honor that rewards value, it’s hard to imagine what the Cubs rotation would be like without Arrieta. Greinke may have been more consistently stellar over the course of the entire season, but Jake’s record-breaking numbers during the second half of the year (0.75 ERA, 12-1 record) will prove to be the main reason why his case is too overwhelming for voters.
AL MVP: Josh Donaldson
Once more, Mike Trout is thrust into an MVP debate that pits old school judgement vs. new school analytics. The “face of baseball” added to his already spectacular career, slugging a personal single-season best of 41 home runs. His WAR stood at an AL-high 9.4. That number suggests Trout had the most value in the league. A closer look reveals otherwise. True to the award’s purpose, Donaldson — in his first season with Toronto — made the most significant impact on what turned out to be the best offense in baseball: 41 homers, 123 RBI, a .939 OPS, 352 total bases, and 122 runs scored as the franchise made its first playoff appearance in 22 years. The old schoolers rest their case.
NL MVP: Bryce Harper
Anyone who had an opinion about the upcoming baseball season at spring training could agree that the Nationals would be a World Series contender. Harper couldn’t help but join them in this belief. But what appeared to be a sure-fire prediction turned into a season up in flames. However, Harper had a hot streak that lasted all year. He led the National League in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage…and at just 22 years old. During a Nationals season full of tremendous frustration (for which the phenom rightfully shared in), Harper was there to carry the heavy burden with his all-out play.