Baseball is back. Spring Training has just started, and Opening Day is less than one month away. The following are my predictions for the MLB awards this upcoming season. Several selections might spark debate, but remember it’s a 162-game season so anything is possible.
American League MVP: Evan Longoria—Tampa Bay Rays
The 24-year-old third baseman has been in the Majors for only two seasons, though he has put up monster numbers thus far in his young career. In 2009, Longoria batted .281 with 33 home runs and 113 RBIs, while posting a .889 OPS, playing in 157 games. Selected third overall in the 2006 draft, Longoria has all the tools to become one of the best hitters in the game. Once you add to the fact that he’s above average defensively at third base, Longoria offers the complete package. Overall, I think Longoria will take that next step in 2010, and play a huge part in helping Tampa Bay reach the postseason.
AL Cy Young Award: Jon Lester—Boston Red Sox
2010 will be the season Jon Lester moves into the elite group of starting pitchers, along with players like Tim Lincecum, Zack Grienke, Roy Halladay, CC Sabathia, and Felix Hernandez. Lester had an amazing season in 2009, going 15-8 with a 3.41 ERA, and a 1.23 WHIP while recording 225 strikeouts in only 203.1 innings. Lester got off to a horrendous start in 2009, however, looking at his stats after June 1, he went 11-3 with a 2.35 ERA. He’ll be 26 years old on Opening Day, and with Boston improving their defence this offseason with the additions of Adrian Beltre, Mike Cameron, and Marco Scutaro, Lester will benefit. He continues to improve each season, and I think 2010 could be the year Lester puts it all together, leading Boston’s rotation and becoming one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball. Ladies and gentlemen, meet your American League Cy Young Award winner for 2010!
AL Rookie of the Year: Brian Matusz—Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore could be a surprise team in 2010 and 22-year-old left-hander Brian Matusz could play a big part. Matusz barely qualifies for a rookie (50 inning cut off limit), so the added experience from 2009 could benefit him from other potential AL candidates in 2010. Matusz started eight games last season for Baltimore and went 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA in 44.2 innings, while punching out 38 batters and issuing only 14 walks. Matusz is a four-pitch pitcher, as his fastball could touch 94 mph and he has a strong curveball to go along with a lively changeup. He has raced through the minors, going 11-2 with a 1.91 ERA between advanced Class A Frederick and Double A Bowie in 2009. Matusz will be one of the young starters in Baltimore to watch out for, as he could put together a strong campaign in his first full Major League season.
National League MVP: Ryan Braun—Milwaukee Brewers
Many baseball analysts and fans have Albert Pujols already pegged in for the NL MVP. I’m going a different route, however, with Ryan Braun taking home the hardware in 2010. Braun took a giant step forward in becoming a better all-around hitter in 2009, improving his plate discipline as he posted a career high .386 OBP along with a .320 batting average. On top of this are 32 home runs and 114 RBI, plus 20 stolen bases. Braun will be only 26 years old on Opening Day, therefore he’ll just be entering his prime. He has the capabilities of hitting 40-plus home runs, anchoring the Brewers line-up alongside Prince Fielder. Overall, Braun could put together another career year in 2010, which may perhaps help the Brewers reach the postseason in a wide open NL Central division.
NL Cy Young Award: Ubaldo Jimenez—Colorado Rockies
This prediction will inevitably spark debate. What about Roy Halladay, or Tim Lincecum? Both pitchers are most likely the favourites to win the NL Cy Young Award in 2010, so I’m going with a different starting pitcher who could emerge as a sleeper for the award this season: 26-year-old right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. In 2009, Jimenez emerged as the Rockies ace, going 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA over 218 innings, only allowing 183 hits while striking out 198 batters and posting a 1.23 WHIP. Remember, Jimenez pitched half of his games at Coors Field, which is considered one of the best hitters’ parks in all of baseball. Jimenez has electric and overpowering stuff, which includes a mid-to-high-90s fastball that helps him rack up a ton of strikeouts and groundballs. Plus, the Rockies have a terrific offense, so the run support will be there. He has improved in each and every season, especially with his command, so it’s not out of the question for Jimenez to take his game to the next level in 2010.
NL Rookie of the Year: Jayson Heyward—Atlanta Braves
The 14th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Heyward will get a taste of the big leagues sometime in 2010. Ranked as the number-one prospect according to Baseball America, Heyward possesses all the tools and talent to become a superstar at the MLB level. Heyward will be a middle-of-the-order bat with power and patience while being above average defensively in right-field. In 99 games last season between High Class A, Double A, and Triple A, Heyward batted .323 with 17 home runs, 63 RBI, along with a .555 SLG and a .963 OPS. Will he become a superstar in his rookie year? Probably not, since he’s only 20 years old; however, if he plays 100 or more games in the Majors this season, Heyward could put up respectable numbers that will make him a strong candidate for the NL Rookie of the Year award. Former Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera is the only player that stands in the way of Heyward at the moment, so he’ll have a good chance to win the everyday right field job this spring.
