Will Mike Trout finally win the MVP award?
Trout certainly made a legitimate case in each of the last two seasons (especially to sabermetricians), but Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers beat him out on both occasions.
The Angels outfielder may not be leading the American League in any of the classic statistical hitting categories (hits, runs, batting average, home runs, or RBI) at the All-Star break, but he is still the heavy favourite for the prestigious award due to his league-leading 5.3 wins above replacement, per FanGraphs.
After the month of May, Edwin Encarnacion would’ve been considered the frontrunner, but the Toronto Blue Jays faded over the last month before the first baseman went on the disabled list with a quad injury.
With that in mind, we broke down the primary candidates for each of the major awards around the league with predictions from a panel of Sportsnet experts.
AL MVP CANDIDATES:
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Age: 22 | Position: Centre Field
2014 stats: .310/.400/.606/1.005, 22 HR, 73 RBI, 5.3 WAR
The skinny: There’s no debate this year. Trout leads the American League in OPS, WAR, extra-base hits, and runs created and is 10-for-10 in stolen bases. He is the most complete player in the game and won’t be held back by his team’s win total this time around.
Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
Age: 33 | Position: Right Field
2014 stats: .292/.409/.502/.910, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 3.2 WAR
The skinny: Injuries have hampered Bautista’s production after a torrid start to the season. He has just three home runs since May 30, but still leads the AL in on-base percentage. The Jays slugger is on pace for his best statistical season since 2011.
Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Age: 28 | Position: Centre Field
2014 stats: .301/.324/.486/.810, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 3.5 WAR
The skinny: Jones’ power numbers aren’t as strong as some on this list, but he’s the most well-rounded player on the AL East division leaders. He ranks fifth among American Leaguers in WAR after batting .348 with an OPS of 1.026 during 112 at-bats in the month of June.
Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
Age: 28 | Position: Third Base
2014 stats: .238/.317/.449/.766, 20 HR, 65 RBI, 3.7 WAR
The skinny: Many believed Donaldson was a regression candidate after a breakout season in 2013. While his batting average and OPS have taken a dip, he has almost exceeded his entire home-run total from last season at the All-Star break.
Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
Age: 35 | Position: First Base
2014 stats: .328/.391/.599/.991, 21 HR, 55 RBI, 2.5 WAR
The skinny: Coming into 2014, the reliable Martinez had a career-high of 25 home runs. At the break, he already has 21 while ranking second in the AL in OPS. Who thought replacing Prince Fielder in the cleanup spot would be this smooth?
Honourable mentions: Nelson Cruz, Michael Brantley, Jose Abreu
EXPERT PICKS:
Jeff Simmons, sportsnet.ca: Mike Trout
Ben Nicholson-Smith, sportsnet.ca: Mike Trout
Pat Tabler, Blue Jays broadcaster: Mike Trout
Tao of Stieb, sportsnet.ca blogger: Mike Trout
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NL MVP CANDIDATES:
Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers
Age: 28 | Position: Catcher
2014 stats: .315/.385/.494/.879, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 3.7 WAR
The skinny: Lucroy and the Brewers are in the midst of a tough stretch. The catcher has just six hits and one home run in his last 37 at-bats after posting astounding numbers in May (.921 OPS) and June (1.029 OPS).
Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
Age: 24 | Position: Right Field
2014 stats: .295/.395/.538/.933, 21 HR, 63 RBI, 3.8 WAR
The skinny: Stanton ranks in the top five in the NL in WAR, OPS, home runs and RBI. Like Lucroy, he’s dropped off a bit in July with just seven hits and a .167 batting average in his last 42 at-bats.
Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
Age: 27 | Position: Centre Field
2014 stats: .324/.420/.575/.995, 17 HR, 61 RBI, 4.6 WAR
The skinny: After winning the MVP award last season, McCutchen is making a push again in 2014. After a decent start to the season, the dynamic Pirates outfielder has caught fire with 13 home runs, 38 RBIs and an OPS of 1.162 in his last 39 games.
Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
Age: 29 | Position: Shortstop
2014 stats: .345/.435/.613/1.048, 21 HR, 52 RBI, 5.2 WAR
The skinny: Based on statistics alone, Tulowitzki would have the upper hand in the MVP race. He is the NL leader in home runs, OPS, and WAR, but historically MVP voters have placed a big emphasis on team success and Tulowitzki’s Rockies lag in that department due to a ton of injuries.
Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
Age: 28 | Position: Centre Field
2014 stats: .304/.370/.510/.880, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 4.1 WAR
The skinny: Outside of his failed attempt to break his bat, Gomez has had a very productive season. His numbers have tailed off a bit in July, but he remains among the league leaders in runs, stolen bases, slugging percentage, and OPS.
Honourable mention: Yasiel Puig, Todd Frazier, Freddie Freeman
EXPERT PICKS:
Jeff Simmons, sportsnet.ca: Andrew McCutchen
Ben Nicholson-Smith, sportsnet.ca: Troy Tulowitzki
Pat Tabler, Blue Jays broadcaster: Troy Tulowitzki
Tao of Stieb, sportsnet.ca blogger: Troy Tulowitzki
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AL CY YOUNG CANDIDATES:
Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Age: 28
2014 stats: 144.1 IP, 11-2, 154 K, 25 BB, 2.12 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
The skinny: King Felix has been absolutely dominant in the first half of the season. The Mariners ace has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last 11 games and has exceeded nine strikeouts in nearly half of his starts (9-of-20). Hernandez leads all pitchers with a 5.3 WAR — the same total as Mike Trout.
Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
Age: 25
2014 stats: 129.1 IP, 12-4, 135 K, 19 BB, 2.51 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
The skinny: Tanaka was looking to become the first pitcher to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year award in the same season since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. That appears unlikely now as the Yankees ace is expected to miss (at the very least) the next six weeks with a partially torn elbow ligament.
Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
Age: 25
2014 stats: 95.0 IP, 8-1, 102 K, 16 BB, 2.08 ERA, 0.84 WHIP
The skinny: The wonky left-hander missed some time at the beginning of the season, but he’s been sensational when he’s been on the field. Sale has only allowed three or more earned runs in three of his 14 starts this season while striking out more than a batter per inning with a stellar walk rate.
Honourable mention: Jon Lester, Garrett Richards, Yu Darvish
EXPERT PICKS:
Jeff Simmons, sportsnet.ca: Felix Hernandez
Ben Nicholson-Smith, sportsnet.ca: Felix Hernandez
Pat Tabler, Blue Jays broadcaster: Felix Hernandez
Tao of Stieb, sportsnet.ca blogger: Felix Hernandez
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NL CY YOUNG CANDIDATES:
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Age: 26
2014 stats: 96.1 IP, 1-2, 126 K, 13 BB, 1.78 ERA, 0.83 WHIP
The skinny: Kershaw isn’t just making a Cy Young case. He’s put himself in the MVP discussion with the most dominant stretch of his career. The left-hander has recorded wins in each of his last eight starts in which he’s given up a total of just five earned runs. Just as impressive: the Dodgers have only lost three games Kershaw has started all season.
Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
Age: 32
2014 stats: 138.0 IP, 12-4, 115 K, 27 BB, 1.83 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
The skinny: Kershaw’s recent success has overshadowed Wainwright, who’s been worthy of Cy Young consideration. Wainwright has allowed only 28 earned runs in 138.0 innings and leads all qualified pitchers in ERA.
Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds
Age: 28
2014 stats: 143.2 IP, 10-6, 141 K, 35 BB, 2.13 ERA, 0.89 WHIP
The skinny: Among qualified pitchers, Cueto ranks second in the NL in ERA and strikeouts while leading the league in WHIP. Entering July, the hard-throwing right-hander had an ERA below 2.00 before it jumped up over his last two starts.
EXPERT PICKS:
Jeff Simmons, sportsnet.ca: Clayton Kershaw
Ben Nicholson-Smith, sportsnet.ca: Clayton Kershaw
Pat Tabler, Blue Jays broadcaster: Johnny Cueto
Tao of Stieb, sportsnet.ca blogger: Adam Wainwright
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AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES:
Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
Age: 27 | Position: First Base
2014 stats: .292/.342/.630/.972, 29 HR, 73 RBI, 3.1 WAR
The skinny: Abreu didn’t need to make much of an adjustment coming to MLB. He leads the AL in home runs and ranks in the top five in OPS and RBI.
Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
Age: 25 | Position: Starting Pitcher
2014 stats: 129.1 IP, 12-4, 135 K, 19 BB, 2.51 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
The skinny: Tanaka was the one player keeping the Yankees afloat. Had he stayed healthy, the race between Abreu and Tanaka for top rookie honours would’ve been a fun one.
George Springer, Houston Astros
Age: 24 | Position: Right Field
2014 stats: .233/.338/.465/.804, 19 HR, 50 RBI, 1.3 WAR
The skinny: Springer has added much-needed power to the Astros’ lineup. His 19 home runs are tied for the team lead (with Chris Carter), but the rookie needs to improve his plate discipline. Springer’s 112 strikeouts lead the AL.
Honourable mention: Brock Holt, Dellin Betances, Jake Odorizzi
EXPERT PICKS:
Jeff Simmons, sportsnet.ca: Jose Abreu
Ben Nicholson-Smith, sportsnet.ca: Masahiro Tanaka
Pat Tabler, Blue Jays broadcaster: Jose Abreu
Tao of Stieb, sportsnet.ca blogger: Jose Abreu
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NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES:
Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds
Age: 23 | Position: Centre Field
2014 stats: .285/.319/.423/.743, 5 HR, 38 RBI, 3.1 WAR
The skinny: This isn’t much of a race. Hamilton is running away with this — literally. His 38 stolen bases are second in the league to Dee Gordon of the Dodgers, and he’s even getting it done at the plate. Hamilton’s slugging and on-base percentages have drastically improved in each month of the season.
Chris Owings, Arizona Diamondbacks
Age: 22 | Position: Shortstop
2014 stats: .277/.313/.458/.771, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 1.9 WAR
The skinny: Owings played in 72 games before he was slowed down with shoulder injury. He has yet to resume hitting and his return date remains unclear. Before the injury, Owings appeared to be the only NL rookie who could’ve pushed Hamilton for the top rookie award.
Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
Age: 26 | Position: Starting Pitcher
2014 stats: 73.2 IP, 3-5, 72 K, 28 BB, 3.18 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
The skinny: deGrom has gained steam as of late. He has allowed just six runs over his last five starts while his strikeout numbers have been ascending (19 in his last 14.0 innings). He is close to averaging a strikeout per inning and has not allowed a home run since June 5.
Honourable mention: Kolten Wong, Jesse Hahn, Carlos Martinez
EXPERT PICKS:
Jeff Simmons, sportsnet.ca: Billy Hamilton
Ben Nicholson-Smith, sportsnet.ca: Billy Hamilton
Pat Tabler, Blue Jays broadcaster: Billy Hamilton
Tao of Stieb, sportsnet.ca blogger: Billy Hamilton
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