American League:
MVP:
Borges could be on his way to a season for the ages. He is currently on pace to win the league's first Triple Crown since
Clay Beirne's MVP Season 12. Its also possible that Borges could break the league's single season records for home runs (84 in Season 1) and RBI (226 in Season 1). In 77 games so far this season, Borges' numbers are almost unbelievable. He is hitting .376 with 41 home runs and 96 RBI and 114 hits.
Other MVP Candidates: 1B
Brian Okajima (ANA), LF
Frank Edwards (BAL), CF
Hector Brown (STL), RF
Patsy Wilkerson (NOR)
Cy Young:
Matos exploded onto the professional baseball scene last season, easily winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award. The former #1 overall pick is showing what all of the scouts were drooling about as they watched him pitch at the University of Houston. This season, he has been one of the best pitchers in the league. He has been the catalyst for the turnaround of the Norfolk franchise. Matos is the complete pitcher. He is durable and hard throwing, with a live fastball, and a good curveball. This season, he will be named to his first, of what will surely be many, All Star squads. Matos leads the AL with 12 wins and has an ERA of 2.79.
Other Cy Young Candidates:
Billy Ray Howington (BAL),
Ty Graves (ANA),
Jared White (PHI),
Willie Corey (STL)
Rookie of the Year:
Campbell is a big part of the Whiskey Jacks' youth movement that is carrying the franchise to the top of the AL. Like his team mate Hipolito Matos, Campbell is a former #1 pick. So far in his young career, he is playing like a #1 overall pick. He is hitting .276 with 18 doubles, 11 home runs and 52 RBI.
Other Rookie of the Year Candidates: SP
Ozzie Kim (KC), DH
Bill Howell (HON), SP
Gary Wilson (HON), DH
Clarence Barnes (NO)
National League:
MVP:
Estrella seems to be enjoying his new town of Pittsburgh. If he does win this season's MVP award, he'll become the first player in SPL history to win MVP awards in both the AL and the NL. Estrella has been on a tear and showing why the pitchers in the AL were happy to see him go. He is hitting .298 with 24 home runs and 60 RBI.
Other MVP Candidates: CF
Butch Ramirez (CHI), LF
Rafael Cueto (PIT), 1B
Olwaldo Canseco, RF
Amp Guererro (RIC)
Cy Young:
The NL Cy Young race is the closest race so far this season. There are a number of pitchers who could have a great second half to step up and win the award. Hernandez is the early leader for the award, but not by too much. Hernandez has been a workhorse for Los Angeles and a big part of the reason why the Sharks are still alive for the playoffs. He is leading the NL in innings pitched with 128. He is 9-2 with a 2.52 ERA.
Other Cy Young Candidates:
Sammy Dali (CLE),
Damaso Machado (HEL),
Benji Armas (PIT),
Mitch Shaw (MIL),
Harold Pacquette (LA)
Rookie of the Year:
Westmoreland, the former #1 overal pick, has made a huge impact. He might already be the most powerful hitter in the league. With another season or two of development, he could be one of the most feared hitters in the league. If he had started the league at the big league level, its likely Westmoreland would have been an MVP candidate. In 59 games, he is hitting .313 with 24 home runs and 58 RBI.
Other Rookie of the Year Candidates: LF
Randall Bryant (CLE), CF
Del Chen (PIT), SP
Dicky Barkley (VC), SP
Johnnie Lucasiewicz (VC)
