National League East Midseason Awards
The race in the National League has been tight all season. The Nationals and Mets have surprised. The Marlins and Phillies have disappointed. While the Braves season has been full of ups and downs. Here’s who is tops among the players at the midway point of the season.
Rookie of the Year
Bryce Harper, Nationals
This accolade easily goes to Harper as he has been great in the Nationals lineup since getting called up in late April. He’s hitting .282 with 8 home runs, 10 stolen bases for Washington and has been the cure to the Nats outfield injury woes. Harper became the youngest position player to make an All-Star Game at just 19 years of age. He’s redefining the teenage Major Leaguer.
In the Running: Andrelton Simmons, Braves and Kirk Nieuwenheis, Mets
Cy Young Award
R.A. Dickey, Mets
There are a few other people in contention, mainly any one in the Nationals starting rotation, but Dickey has been so fantastic he blows them away. Dickey leads the National League in wins, WHIP, complete games, and shutouts. The knuckleball has been magical for Dickey this season.
In the Running: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals, Gio Gonzalez, Nationals, Cole Hamels, Phillies, and Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
Most Valuable Player
David Wright, Mets
Wright leads the N.L. in WAR, while being in the top 5 in batting average (.351), on-base percentage (.441), OPS (1.004), and doubles (27). He’s also 5th in runs batted in with 59. Everyone on the podcast picked the Mets win total to go under at the start of the season, Dickey and especially Wright are making us look like fools right now.
In the Running: Michael Bourn, Braves, Carlos Ruiz, Phillies, Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins, R.A. Dickey, Mets, Ian Desmond, Nationals
Who do you think have been the best in the N.L. East? Let us know in the comments!
-Bryan Mapes (@IAmMapes)
Three Up, Three Down 