MLB, Sports

2016 MLB Awards Predictions

Photo Credit: V Tool Showcases (featured image), ESPN (team logos)

NATIONAL LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

i-10 Kris Bryant, Third Baseman, Chicago Cubs

  • Statistics: .292 batting average, 121 runs scored, 39 home runs, 102 runs batted in, 8 stolen bases
  • Analysis: Kris Bryant deserves to be the NL MVP for the amazing statistical season he had and the positive impact he had on the Cubs’ remarkable season. He was not just simply the best player on the best team; he was the best player in the entire National League, and that was clearly reflected all season long through his value to the Cubs.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-3 Nolan Arenado, Third Baseman, Colorado Rockies

  • Statistics: .294 batting average, 116 runs scored, 41 home runs, 133 runs batted in, 2 stolen bases

3. i-4 Daniel Murphy, Second Baseman, Washington Nationals

  • Statistics: .347 batting average, 88 runs scored, 25 home runs, 104 runs batted in, 5 stolen bases

4. i-10 Anthony Rizzo, First Baseman, Chicago Cubs

  • Statistics: .292 batting average, 94 runs scored, 32 home runs, 109 runs batted in, 3 stolen bases

5. i-8 Freddie Freeman, First Baseman, Atlanta Braves

  • Statistics: .302 batting average, 102 runs scored, 34 home runs, 91 runs batted in, 6 stolen bases

 

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

i-15 Mookie Betts, Right Fielder, Boston Red Sox

  • Statistics: .318 batting average, 122 runs scored, 31 home runs, 113 runs batted in, 26 stolen bases
  • Analysis: Mookie Betts put on display the best combination of consistency, power, and speed that the MLB saw this season, and he should win the AL MVP award because of it. There was no player this season that was a better overall player than Betts was, and he was able to produce at an elite level all season long.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-25 Mike Trout, Center Fielder, Los Angeles Angels

  • Statistics: .315 batting average, 123 runs scored, 29 home runs, 100 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases

3. i-28 Jose Altuve, Second Baseman, Houston Astros

  • Statistics: .338 batting average, 108 runs scored, 24 home runs, 96 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases

4. i-15 David Ortiz, Designated Hitter, Boston Red Sox

  • Statistics: .315 batting average, 79 runs scored, 38 home runs, 127 runs batted in, 2 stolen bases

5. i-18 Josh Donaldson, Third Baseman, Toronto Blue Jays

  • Statistics: .284 batting average, 122 runs scored, 37 home runs, 99 runs batted in, 7 stolen bases

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE CY YOUNG

i-4 Max Scherzer, Starting Pitcher, Washington Nationals

  • Statistics: 20-7 record, 2.96 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 284 strikeouts
  • Analysis: Max Scherzer was the only 20-game winner in the National League this season, and he also recorded an MLB-leading 284 strikeouts. Despite not having the best ERA, Scherzer was probably the hardest pitcher to hit off of in the majors this year, making him the likely winner of this season’s NL Cy Young award.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-2 Clayton Kershaw, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Statistics: 12-4 record, 1.69 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 172 strikeouts

3. i-10  Jon Lester, Starting Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

  • Statistics: 19-5 record, 2.44 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 197 strikeouts

4. i-10 Kyle Hendricks, Starting Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

  • Statistics: 16-8 record, 2.13 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 170 strikeouts

5. i-7 Jose Fernandez, Starting Pitcher, Miami Marlins

  • Statistics: 16-8 record, 2.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 253 strikeouts

 

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE CY YOUNG

i-15 Rick Porcello, Starting Pitcher, Boston Red Sox

  • Statistics: 22-4 record, 3.15 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 189 strikeouts
  • Analysis: Rick Porcello led the MLB in wins with an outstanding 22-4 record, and his ERA was among the AL’s best. His strikeout numbers were not the greatest, but he was one of the toughest pitchers to hit off of all season long in all of baseball, which is why he should win this season’s AL Cy Young award.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-20 Corey Kluber, Starting Pitcher, Cleveland Indians

  • Statistics: 18-9 record, 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 227 strikeouts

3. i-17 Zach Britton, Relief Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles

  • Statistics: 2-1 record, 47 saves, 0.54 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 74 strikeouts

4. i-19 Justin Verlander, Starting Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

  • Statistics: 16-9 record, 3.04 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 254 strikeouts

5. i-18 JA Happ, Starting Pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays

  • Statistics: 20-4 record, 3.18 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 163 strikeouts

 

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

i-2 Corey Seager, Shortstop, Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Statistics: .308 batting average, 105 runs scored, 26 home runs, 72 runs batted in, 3 stolen bases
  • Analysis: Corey Seager was by far the best rookie in the National League this season, and that makes him the favorite to win the NL Rookies of the Year award. Even if Rockies’ phenom shortstop Trevor Story had not gone down with an injury, Seager would probably still win this award because of how well he played.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-3 Trevor Story, Shortstop, Colorado Rockies

  • Statistics: .272 batting average, 67 runs scored, 27 home runs, 72 runs batted in, 8 stolen bases

3. i-4 Trea Turner, Center Fielder, Washington Nationals

  • Statistics: .342 batting average, 53 runs scored, 13 home runs, 40 runs batted in, 33 stolen bases

4. i-2 Kenta Maeda, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Statistics: 16-11 record, 3.48 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 179 strikeouts

5. i-13 Aledmys Diaz, Shortstop, St. Louis Cardinals

  • Statistics: .300 batting average, 71 runs scored, 17 home runs, 65 runs batted in, 4 stolen bases

 

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

i-19 Michael Fulmer, Starting Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

  • Statistics: 11-7 record, 3.06 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 132 strikeouts
  • Analysis: Michael Fulmer was a productive rookie throughout the majority of the season. He was a tough pitcher to hit off of and looked far more developed than most rookies and even many older players do, which is why he deserves to be this season’s AL Rookie of the Year award winner.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-14 Gary Sanchez, Catcher, New York Yankees

  • Statistics: .299 batting average, 34 runs scored, 20 home runs, 42 runs batted in, 1 stolen base

3. i-20 Tyler Naquin, Center Fielder, Cleveland Indians

  • Statistics: .296 batting average, 52 runs scored, 14 home runs, 43 runs batted in, 6 stolen bases

4. i-27 Nomar Mazara, Right Fielder, Texas Rangers

  • Statistics: .266 batting average, 59 runs scored, 20 home runs, 64 runs batted in

5. i-21 Max Kepler, Right Fielder, Minnesota Twins

  • Statistics: .235 batting average, 52 runs scored, 17 home runs, 63 runs batted in, 6 stolen bases

 

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

i-10 Joe Maddon, Manager, Chicago Cubs

  • Analysis: Joe Maddon led the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908 with a 103-win season that topped the majors. He has turned the Cubs into contenders from cellar dwellers, and that was put on display in its best form this season. He should win this season’s NL Manager of the Year award with ease.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-2 Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

3. i-4 Dusty Baker, Manager, Washington Nationals

4. i-1 Bruce Bochy, Manager, San Francisco Giants

5. i-6 Terry Collins, Manager, New York Mets

 

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

i-20 Terry Francona, Manager, Cleveland Indians

  • Analysis: Terry Francona turned the Indians into a World Series contender and led them to their first World Series since 1997. He turned the Indians into one of the most well-rounded teams in the MLB in terms of batting, pitching, and fielding. If he does not win the AL Manager of the Year award this season, I would be surprised.
Rounding out the top 5:

2. i-18 John Gibbons, Manager, Toronto Blue Jays

3. i-27 Jeff Banister, Manager, Texas Rangers

4. i-15 John Farrell, Manager, Boston Red Sox

5. i-17 Buck Showalter, Manager, Baltimore Orioles

 

-Asher Fair