2013 MLB Awards

The announcement of yesterday's Rookies of the Year reminded me that I forgot to put these out:

NL Rookie of the Year – Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins

If the award was based on cranky old baseball men speaking out against exuberance and emotion, Yasiel Puig wins in a landslide.  But based on performance, Puig’s fellow Cuban-refugee, Fernandez, was the NL’s best rookie.  At 20 years old, Fernandez pitched to a 2.19 ERA, striking out 187 batters in 172 2/3 innings.  20 year olds are usually navigating through UCLA’s lineup; not dominating the best professionals in the world.   Fernandez had an amazing season, one that deserves even more credit than it is being given.

AL Rookie of the Year – Wil Myers, Tampa Bay Rays

On the heels of a season that produced Mike Trout and Yoenis Cespedes—as well as Yu Darvish, Wei-Yin Chen, and Jarrod Parker—the 2013 American League produced an underwhelming rookie class.  Myers wins the award by default, batting .293/.354/.478 in just 88 games.  His victory demonstrates the extent that timing influences a ROY race.  Had any of 2012’s top five vote-getters been eligible in 2013, Myers would be trophy-less.  

NL Cy Young Award – Clayton Kershaw

Not much to see here.  A healthy Matt Harvey, or a Fernandez without an innings limit, tightens the race.  Alas, Kershaw is the clear favorite. 

AL Cy Young – Yu Darvish

Few races possess a margin this slim between this many players.  Four candidates—Darvish, Hisashi Iwakuma, Max Scherzer, and Felix Hernandez—own credible claims to the award.  If Anibal Sanchez had pitched more innings, he, too, would be in the discussion.  My vote goes to Darvish.  Darvish struck out 277 batters in 209 innings, boasting a ridiculous 32.9 K%.  He struck out one out of every three batters he faced!  Darvish’s 2.83 ERA trails only Iwakuma, out pitchers who exceeded the 200-IP mark. 

NL MVP – Andrew McCutchen

Of all the awards, I feel least confident about this selection.  In some ways, it’s a poor man’s Cabrera-Trout debate—the corner infield slugger vs. the all-around centerfielder.  However, the NL race is muddier because Goldschmidt isn’t the hitter Cabrera is and McCutchen isn’t the player that Trout is.  I’m sure that I could be talked into Goldschmidt—but for now, McCutchen’s overall game-.317/.404/.508 with stellar defense in a premier position—wins my vote.

AL MVP – Mike Trout

For the second straight year, Mike Trout is my American League MVP.  In what’s becoming an Ali-Frazier rivalry of sorts, Trout narrowly beats out Cabrera in a race much closer than last year’s.  Cabrera posted the best season in his HOF career with a stupid .348/.442/.636 line.  He is the best hitter in the world right now.  But hitting is only one facet of a player’s value.  While comparable at the plate—Trout himself posted a .323/.432/.557 line in 48 more plate appearances—Trout blows Cabrera out of the planet defensively and on the bases.  Anyone who dismisses the influence that defense and baserunning have on wins and losses, needs only to watch Cabrera’s dismal performance in each facet against the Red Sox in the ALCS.