MLB regular season award predictions

By Arbogast, Brandon, November 2, 2016

By Edward Lennon// Staff Writer

As the exciting MLB playoffs come to an end, every baseball fan is anxious to find out which players will be receiving the annual accolades that will be announced in the middle of November. Here are my predictions for the main six player awards that are voted on by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America.

American League Most Valuable Player – Mookie Betts, RF, Boston Red Sox

In only his second full season, Betts started in right field in all but four games, hitting .318 in 672 at bats. His average was second in the American League and his at bats were first. Offensively, he had an excellent and impressive year in about every category. His 214 hits were 2nd most in the A.L., as well as his 113 RBIs ranking fourth in the league. He started 157 games in right field, playing almost perfect defense, one error in 361 chances. The Red Sox won the A.L. East division, the most competitive division in the MLB this year, while Betts recorded a 9.6 wins above replacement, which was the second best in the MLB.

National League Most Valuable Player – Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs

Bryant’s Cubs won 103 games this year, clinching home-field advantage throughout the National League Divisional and Conference Series. The 2015 Rookie of the Year had a very stellar offensive season, hitting .292, 39 homeruns and 102 RBIs. As good as he was at the plate, he was as valuable in the field. Bryant played six different positions, starting mostly at third base and in left field, truly making him an everyday player. He had at least a 95 percent fielding percentage at both positions, as well as perfect ones when he occasionally played other positions. Despite having Anthony Rizzo, another MVP candidate, and many other all-stars on his team, Bryant is the most valuable player in the league because of his runs. He led the NL in runs with 121 because he was able to get on base often. Also, he normally batted second in the order, allowing his other teammates to drive him in, making him the most valuable player in the league.

American League Cy Young – Rick Porcello, SP, Boston Red Sox

In a year where no starting pitcher in the A.L. had an ERA below three or a WHIP below one, dominance was stressed. Porcello and his MLB leading 22 wins were insanely dominant. 26 of his 33 starts were ranked as “quality starts,” second best percentage in the American League. His ERA and WHIP were very strong, 3.15 and 1.01, both top five in the American League. Porcello was the best pitcher in the American League this season.

National League Cy Young – Max Scherzer, SP, Washington Nationals

Leading the National League in wins with 20, Scherzer is this year’s N.L. Cy Young. Despite finishing eighth in the N.L. in ERA, his 2.96 is very strong and respectable. He was tied for the lead in games started with 34, had the most innings pitched with 228 1/3, lead the league 284 strikeouts, and had the lowest WHIP in the N.L., 0.97. He was a workhorse on the mound this year, pitching the most in the N.L. He dominated for the Nationals.

American League Rookie of the Year -Michael Fulmer, SP, Detroit Tigers

Michael Fulmer was by far the best rookie pitcher in the A.L. this season. He led the group is games started with 26, innings pitched with 159, strikeouts with 132, and was the only rookie starter with a complete game. He had the best ERA, 3.06, and WHIP, 1.12, for pitchers who were qualified by pitching in enough games and innings. Others would make the case for Gary Sanchez because of his very impressive power numbers, but he did not even play in a third of his team’s games, while Fulmer had the second most games started for a Detroit Tigers pitcher.

National League Rookie of the Year – Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers

Let alone winning the N.L. Rookie of the Year, Seager is going to receive some votes to be the N.L. MVP. For rookies, Seager was second in the N.L. with 26 homers and was tied for lead with 72 RBIs. He led all rookies in games played, runs, at-bat and hits. He was the best position player on Dodgers, who won their division.