The All-Star break is upon us which means A) nothing is going on, B) the ESPY's are still not worth watching, and C) time to hand out some baseball midseason awards. As you can tell by headline photo it's basically the hand shit to Aaron Judge awards before he smashes you 500 ft. We will oblige the mighty cyborg.
AL MVP - Aaron Judge, Yankees
No way anybody can argue this choice. Judge has put up insane first half numbers in his rookie season (leads AL in OBP, slugging percentage, HR, OPS and highlights) and just became the unofficial official face of baseball after putting on an epic showing at the HR Derby. It's doubtful he will keep up his pace in the 2nd half so guys like Mike Trout (coming off injury) and the 3 Astros (Springer, Altuve, Correa) all have a chance to gain some ground. But right now it's Judge's to lose.
NL MVP - Paul Goldschmidt, DBacks
This was a more difficult pick than the AL because there are a ton of great candidates. Goldy is my pick because he leads the league in WAR and has the DBacks firmly in the Wild Card lead. But you could make an argument for players like Joey Votto, Justin Turner, Nolan Arenado, Bryce Harper, etc. all having big 1st halves.
AL CY YOUNG - Chris Sale, Red Sox
Sale is the perfect pitcher for the Red Sox and their rabid fanbase. He embraces the spot light, in fact he welcomes it, and has already become a team leader in the clubhouse in just his first season at Fenway Park. 11-4 with a 2.74 ERA and 0.90 WHIP earned Sale the start in the All-Star game. He's basically the new Randy Johnson. Royals Jason Vargas also deserves recognition after coming back from Tommy John surgery and leads the league in wins with 12 and ERA at 2.62. It's doubtful Vargas will keep up the pace as the journeyman's arm is due to wear down.
NL CY YOUNG - Max Scherzer, Nationals
Old shady two eyes gets the nod over Clayton Kershaw because although their numbers are similar I'm handing the ball in a do-or-die game to Scherzer because I know I will get maximum intensity and effort from someone who lives for the big spot. Scherzer is a maniac who also might be a cyborg like Judge.
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Aaron Judge, Yankees
The best player in the league right now is brace yourself also the best rookie in the league. The only guy who could potentially pass him up with a monster 2nd half is Baltimore's Trey "Boom Boom" Mancini and honestly everybody else is contending for runner up at this point.
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
10 home runs in 10 games will earn you some recognition. Bellinger has taken his late call up as a challenge and already mashed 25 HRS, driven in 58 runs, and posted a .619 slugging percentage in only 70 games.
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - A.J. Hinch, Astros
The Astros are the best team in baseball right now with a young nucleus led by Hinch. They are 16.5 games up in the division and on pace to win 109 games.
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Dave Roberts, Dodgers
The Dodgers play in the most difficult division in the NL but are on pace to win 110 games. That's insane. They also have a young nucleus like the Astros who should contend for years to come.
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