American League:
MVP:
Its easy for Donovan to get overlooked in Baltimore sometimes. Hes a soft-spoken player, and there are just so many good hitters on the Revolution roster. This season though, it hard not to see him. The former NL MVP is having the best season of his career. At the All Star break he is leading the AL in home runs (45), RBI (105) and is second in batting average (.355). Is it possible that two different Revolution players will win the AL Triple Crown in back-to-back seasons?
Other MVP candidates: 2B
Aurelio Diaz (BAL), LF
Orber Martin (ANA), 3B
Sherman Campbell (NOR), CF
Valerio Soriano (NO)
Cy Young:
Hipolito is quickly establishing himself as the most dominant starter in the AL. He currently leads the AL in innings pitched (149.2), wins (17), strikeouts (145) and is fourth in ERA at 2.95. His 17-1 record is so good, its nearly unbelievable. Barring some kind of collapse, Matos is on his way to winning his 2nd of what will probably be many Cy Young awards. The question is whether or not he can lead his Whiskey Jacks past the two-time defending World Series champions.
Other Cy Young candidates:
Victor Delgado (SAL),
Damaso Solano (BAL),
Tony Espinosa (BAL),
Julian Belliard (ANA)
Rookie of the Year:
Lee is having a great year by any standards, rookie or otherwise. The young Dominican is currently 11-5 with a 3.07 ERA. Combined with Meulens, they form a very potent 1-2 punch in the City of Brotherly Love. There aren't many great rookie performances this season in the AL, so expect Lee to run away with the award.
Other RoY candidates: LF
Jared O'Sullivan (MON), 3B/SS
Andres Acosta (HOU), 1B
Tom Lee (HOU), CF
Taylor Vinnie (KC)
National League:
MVP:
Eugenio Estrella has been far and away the most complete position player so far in the National League. He didn't make the All Star squad simply because he didn't qualify at any single position. You could make the argument that his versatility is part of what makes him so valuable. He starts where his manager needs him to. This year he has made multiple starts in LF, RF and 1B. He is leading the NL in average, hitting a robust .380 and OBP with an unstoppable .495. He also has 23 doubles, 24 home runs and 20 steals with an OPS of 1.190.
Other MVP candidates: LF/2B
Rafael Cueto (PIT), CF
Ham Frye (MIL), 1B
Russ Charleston (CHI), LF
Ted Westmoreland (RIC)
Cy Young:
In the AL, there was Matos. Now in the NL, there is Sosa. The comparisons are inevitable. Two young starting pitchers who crashes onto the big league scene with such dominance that they immediately vaulted themselves into the discussion of best pitcher in the league. Sosa, who was highly touted coming into Season 16 didn't disappoint. He currently leads the NL in innings pitched (176.2), wins (16), strikeouts (140) and ERA (1.48); and is on pace to win the Triple Crown of pitching. Sounds alot like that other young guy who plays on the Eastern sea board...
Other Cy Young candidates:
Esteban Hernandez (LA),
Ramon Yamamoto (PIT), Lonny Sanchez (MIL),
Nick Street (MEM)
Rookie of the Year:
See above. This guy is unbelievable.
Other RoY candidates: SP
Clyde Mirabelli (ARI), LF/1B
Pedro Canseco (JAC), C
Tony Delgado (ATL), RF
Jeremi Henry (SD)
