AL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Ellsbury had a tremendous season all around. He got on base at a .376 clip, hit over 30 homers, stole almost 40 bases and played great defense in center. I gave Ellsbury the slight nod over Jose Bautista (MLB’s best hitter in 2011) because of Ellsbury’s superior defense at a premium position. Ellsbury’s speed, he stole 39 bases, also helped put him over the top.
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS
.321 AVG, .376 OBP, .552 SLG, 32 HR, 39, SB, 9.6 WAR
2. Jose Bautista, TOR
.302 AVG, .447 OBP, .608 SLG, 1.056 OPS, 43 HR, 8.4 WAR
3. Justin Verlander, DET
24-5, 2.40 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 170 ERA+, 8.6 WAR
4. Miguel Cabrera, DET
.344 AVG, .448 OBP, .586 SLG, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 7.3 WAR
5. Curtis Granderson, NYY
.262 AVG, .364 OBP, .552 SLG, 41 HR, 119 RBI, 25 SB, 6.9 WAR
6. Dustin Pedroia, BOS
.307 AVG, .387 OBP, .474 SLG, 21 HR, 26 SB, 8.0 WAR
7. Ian Kinsler, TEX
.255 AVG, .355 OBP, .477 SLG, 32 HR, 30 SB, 7.8 WAR
8. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS
.338 AVG, .410 OBP, .548 SLG, 27 HR, 117 RBI, 6.4 WAR
9. Robinson Cano, NYY
.302 AVG, .349 OBP, .533 SLG, 28 HR, 118 RBI, 5.6 WAR
10. CC Sabathia, NYY
19-8, 3.00 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 147 ERA+, 6.9 WAR
AL CY YOUNG
Verlander has been flat out dominant this season, and gets my vote for Cy Young. However, the resumes of Verlander and Sabathia are closer than it is made out to be, as Verlander is seen as the far and away favorite.
1. Justin Verlander, DET
24-5, 2.40 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 170 ERA+, 8.6 WAR
2. CC Sabathia, NYY
19-8, 3.00 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 147 ERA+, 6.9 WAR
3. Jered Weaver, LAA
18-8, 2.41 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 158 ERA+, 6.6 WAR
4. C.J. Wilson, TEX
16-7, 2.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 152 ERA+, 5.0 WAR
5. Dan Haren, LAA
16-10, 3.17 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 5.81 K/BB, 120 ERA+, 4.0 WAR
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Hellickson is clearly the AL’s rookie of the year for his solid performance this entire season. However, is he even the most talented rookie pitcher on the Rays? Phenom Matt Moore, who only made one start for the Rays this season, will be the Game 1 starter for Tampa tomorrow.
1. Jeremy Hellickson, TB
13-10, 2.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 126 ERA+, 4.2 WAR
2. Eric Hosmer, KC
.293 AVG, .334 OBP, .465 SLG, 19 HR, 78 RBI, 1.6 WAR
3. Dustin Ackley, SEA
.273 AVG, .348 OBP, .417 SLG, .340 wOBA, 2.7 WAR
4. Mark Trumbo, LAA
.254 AVG, .291 OBP, .477 SLG, 29 HR, 87 RBI, 2.3 WAR
5. Ivan Nova, NYY
16-4, 3.70 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 119 ERA+, 3.6 ERA
This is a really close call. Kemp and Braun both had great seasons, and no matter who wins the winner will be deserving. However, I went with Kemp because his offensive are slightly better than Braun’s, and he plays a more premium position than Braun, and plays it a bit better.
NL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
1. Matt Kemp, LAD
.324 AVG, .399 OBP, .586 SLG, 39 HR, 126 RBI, 40 SB, 8.7 WAR
2. Ryan Braun, MIL
.332 AVG, .397 OBP, .531 SLG, 33 HR, 111 RBI, 33 SB, 7.8 WAR
3. Justin Upton, ARZ
.289 AVG, .369 OBP, .529 SLG, 31 HR, 88 RBI, 21 SB, 6.5 WAR
4. Joey Votto, CIN
.309 AVG, .416 OBP, .531 SLG, 29 HR, 103 RBI, 6.8 WAR
5. Prince Fielder, MIL
.299 AVG, .415 OBP, .566 SLG, 38 HR, 120 RBI, 5.6 WAR
6. Troy Tulowitzki, COL
.302 AVG, .372 OBP, .544 SLG, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 6.2 WAR
7. Shane Victorino, PHI
.279 AVG, .355 OBP, .491 SLG, 17 HR, 61 RBI, 5.8 WAR
8. Albert Pujols, STL
.299 AVG, .415 OBP, .566 SLG, 37 HR, 99 RBI, 5.2 WAR
9. Lance Berkman, STL
.301 AVG, .412 OBP, .547 SLG, 31 HR, 94 RBI, 5.0 WAR
10. Jose Reyes, NYM
.337 AVG, .384 OBP, .493 SLG, 39 SB, .386 wOBA, 6.3 WAR
Again, another close call. I’m going with Kershaw because his numbers are just a bit better than Halladay, who had another tremendous season. Lee also had a Cy-worthy season for the Phils. Man, is that rotation going to be a beast in the playoffs.
NL CY YOUNG
1. Clayton Kershaw, LAD
21-5, 2.28 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 163 ERA+, 6.9 WAR
2. Roy Halladay, PHI
19-6, 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 164 ERA+, 7.4 WAR
3. Cliff Lee, PHI
17-8, 2.40 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 5.67 K/BB, 161 ERA+, 6.9 WAR
4. Ian Kennedy, ARZ
21-4, 2.88 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 137 ERA+, 5.5 WAR
5. Matt Cain, SF
12-11, 2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 123 ERA+, 3.9 WAR
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kimbrel stumbled down the stretch, perhaps due to overuse by manager Fredi Gonzalez. It’s no wonder Gonzalez wanted Kimbrel on the mound as much as possible because Kimbrel was flat out un-hittable before September.
1. Craig Kimbrel, ATL
46 Saves, 2.10 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 14.8 K/9, 181 ERA+, 3.0 WAR
2. Vance Worley, PHI
11-3, 3.01 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 129 ERA+, 2.8 WAR
3. Freddie Freeman, ATL
.282 AVG, .346 OBP, .448 SLG, 21 HR, 76 RBI, 1.1 WAR
4. Danny Espinosa, WSH
.236 AVG, .323 OBP, .414 SLG, 21 HR, 17 SB, 3.5 WAR
5. Wilson Ramos, WSH
.267 AVG, .334 OBP, .445 SLG, 15 HR, .332 wOBA, 3.1 WAR
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
DIVISION SERIES
Brewers over D-Backs in 4
Phillies over Cardinals in 3
Yankees over Tigers in 4
Rangers over Rays in 4
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Brewers over Phillies in 7
Rangers over Yankees in 6
WORLD SERIES
Brewers over Rangers in 6
MVP: Corey Hart
My predictions are usually wrong, and this is one case where I really, really hope I’m wrong. Anybody but the Brewers, please…
Everything is going Wisconsin’s way (sports wise, definitely not with politics)
