MLB Awards
NL MVP – SS Javier Baez – Chicago Cubs
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Mike Soroka – Atlanta Braves
AL Cy Young – Mike Clevinger – Cleveland Indians
NL Rookie of the Year – 3B Carter Kieboom – Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox
NL Manager of the Year – Mike Shildt – St. Louis Cardinals
AL Manager of the Year – Bob Melvin – Oakland Athletics Continue reading
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Oakland Athletics
They certainly have the most upside at numerous positions, but will it translate into good things in October?
2. Houston Astros
Their GM and Manager have both been fired from the sign stealing investigation. Can Dusty Baker keep them as contenders?
3. Los Angeles Angels
Bringing in Joe Maddon was the smart move and signing Anthony Rendon was nice, but their pitching staff is still suspect.
4. Texas Rangers
With the opening of a new ballpark who will be the player that takes this team to the next level?
5. Seattle Mariners
The direction is pretty straight forward, but when will they finally say it’s time to become contenders?
Player to Watch: OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
Best Acquisition: 3B Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels
New Kid on the Block: OF Jo Adell – Los Angeles Angels Continue reading
For the 90th year of the Midsummer Classic, baseball turns its sights to Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field or “The Jake”) in Cleveland, Ohio. The last time the mid-summer classic was played in Cleveland was in 1997. Now every year there is always a lot of discussion and some of it a little dated about how the teams are put together. No system will ever be perfect. Fans don’t always get it right and managers won’t either, nor the commissioner’s office. The fact that the players are able to vote for participants was a great choice and they know who is deserving. Regardless of who should or shouldn’t be in the game lets just accept that the best players will always be involved one way or another. Here are my all-stars keeping with the rules that every team be represented and a total of 32 players for each league.
AVG – Batting Average
ERA – Earned Run Average
HR – Home Runs
RBI – Runs Batted In
SV – Saves
BAA – Batting Average Against
WHIP – Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched
K – Strikeouts
Stats are accurate as of July 5
* – asterisk indicates starter Continue reading
MLB Awards
NL MVP – 1B Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies
AL Cy Young – Gerrit Cole – Houston Astros
NL Rookie of the Year – OF Victor Robles – Washington Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Eloy Jimenez – Chicago White Sox
NL Manager of the Year – Craig Counsell – Milwaukee Brewers
AL Manager of the Year – Rocco Baldelli – Minnesota Twins
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers
NL Wild Card Winners – Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals
AL Division Winners – Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians
AL Wild Card Winners – Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins
NLCS – Dodgers over Brewers
ALCS – Yankees over Astros
World Series – Dodgers over Yankees in 6 games
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Houston Astros
Their lineup is formidable and their rotation is among the best in baseball.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Locking up Mike Trout for the rest of his career boosts the morale of a franchise looking to get back into the Postseason.
3. Oakland Athletics
The rotation took a hit in the offseason, but their lineup is as good as advertised.
4. Seattle Mariners
Not quite sure what the method is to the offseason upheaval, but they have a few good pieces to build from.
5. Texas Rangers
Surprisingly they’ll be getting a new stadium next year so this will be another long season in Arlington.
Player to Watch: OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
Best Acquisition: OF Michael Brantley – Houston Astros
New Kid on the Block: P Jesus Luzardo – Oakland Athletics Continue reading
