American League East Midseason Awards
Jeremy already broke down the “N.L. West Midseason Awards”, so I’m going to have a go at the A.L. East.
Rookie of the Year
Will Middlebrooks, Red Sox
This was the spot reserved in the preseason for Matt Moore, but the Rays pitching “phenom” has been sub-par in 2012. Middlebrooks has been a pleasant surprise for Bosto since getting called up while Kevin Youkilis was hurt. He is 3rd among all rookies with 10 home runs and 3rd in OPS. Middlebrooks’ play was solid enough that it allowed for the Red Sox to deal Youkilis, though that might have happened anyway.
In the Running: Matt Moore, Rays, Wei-Yin Chen, Orioles
Cy Young Award
David Price, Rays
Price has without a doubt been the best starting pitcher in the A.L. East. He has the most wins (11), best ERA (2.82), best WHIP (1.20). Plus he’s 2nd in the division in strikeouts (1 behind teammate James Shields) and batting average against (behind Jason Hammel). There are a few players in range, but none are on Price’s level right now.
In the Running: Jason Hammel, Orioles, CC Sabathia, Yankees, Jim Johnson, Orioles, and Fernando Rodney, Rays
Most Valuable Player
Robinson Cano, Yankees
I had Cano 3rd in the entire league for A.L. MVP at this point in the season in my “Early MLB Awards”, but the competition in his own division is pretty tough. Cano and David Ortiz have strikingly similar numbers 22 homers, .312 AVG, 57 RBI, and 62 runs for Big Papi compared to 20 homers, .313 AVG, 51 RBI, and 57 runs for Cano. The big difference is the quality defense that Cano provides at second base while Ortiz rides the bench. Since June 1st, Cano has hit .346 with 12 home runs in 133 at-bats while the Yankees racked up a 25-10 record to propel New York to the top of the American League standings.
In the Running: David Ortiz, Red Sox, Adam Jones, Orioles, Curtis Granderson, Yankees, Jose Bautista, Blue Jays, Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays, David Price, Rays
Who would win your A.L. East awards at the All-Star Break?
-Bryan Mapes (@IAmMapes)
Three Up, Three Down 