MLB Halfway Awards

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

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If 2010 was the deemed "The Year of the Pitcher" what's the proper way to describe the first half of 2011? "The Year of Small Ball". I've got nothing that sums up how this post-steroid era of baseball is being played out in a few words.

All I know is it's fun to watch the near no-hitters day in and day out. It seems to me the elite hitters have been able to put a stellar years, but an average player has seen his share of 0-for-4s thanks to dominant pitching and the new way to use a bullpen.

Believe it not it has not been that many years when a 7th inning guy or a lefty specialist has been THIS valuable. We witnessed it in last year's playoffs when San Francisco Giants' Javier Lopez made some of the best left handed hitters in the game look foolish. We also now elect middle relievers like the Nationals' Tyler Clippard and the Royals' Aaron Crow into the All-Star Game.

It may be the "Year of Small Ball" where bunts and hit and sac flis are the way offenses have produced, but it's still a big bopper that will bring home the big hardware.

NL MVP: Matt Kemp (Dodgers) - Hidden by all the turmoil in the front offices in Hollywood is the official coming out party for Mr. Kemp. He is no longer Rhianna's ex or the talented center fielder that took plays off, he is the biggest force in the NL right now and maybe the MLB. He not only is on pace for a 40-40 season, but he has a batting average well over .300 and he's playing gold glove defense. The Dodgers may sell at the deadline because they just filed for bankruptcy or because they are falling back in the NL West, but a first half like this needs to be recognized.
Others receiving consideration: Prince Fielder (MIL), Jose Reyes (NYM), Ryan Braun (MIL), Justin Upton (ARI), Brian McCann (ATL)

NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay (PHI) - When you are first in Innings Pitched, second in Wins, second in Strikeouts, second in ERA and second in WHIP you have to give the nod to the Docter. Sure, others can make a case, but nobody takes the ball every fifth day like the Phillies' clear ace.
Others receiving consideration: Jair Jurrjens (ATL), Cole Hamels (PHI), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Kevin Correia (PIT)

NL Manager of the Year: Kirk Gibson (Diamondbacks)
Others receiving consideration: Clint Hurdle (PIT), Tony LaRussa (STL)

NL Rookie of the Year: Craig Kimbrel (Braves)
Others receiving consideration: Danny Espinosa (WAS), Freddie Freeman (ATL)

NL All-Pros
C - Brian McCann (ATL)
1B - Prince Fielder (MIL)
2B - Brandon Phillips (CIN)
3B - Aramis Ramirez (CHC)
SS - Jose Reyes (NYM)
OF - Matt Kemp (LAD)
OF - Lance Berkman (STL)
OF - Ryan Braun (MIL)
SP - Roy Halladay (PHI)
SP - Jair Jurrjens (ATL)
RP - Jonny Venters (ATL)
CL - Joel Hanrahan (PIT)

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez (Red Sox) - The off season acquisition has been even more than expected in Boston and expectations were pretty high to begin with. I'm surprised any hitter wants to play in San Diego after seeing what A-Gonz has done. Gonzalez has gone from an quality all-star first basemen to some consider the premiere hitter in the game today. His smooth swing has him on pace to hit .350 with 31 homers and 142 RBIs. With Gonzalez signed through 2018 he could end up with some monster career numbers thanks to the left field Monster.
Others receiving consideration: Miguel Cabrera (DET), Jose Bautista (TOR), Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE), Curtis Granderson (NYY)

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Tigers): We knew Justin Verlander can strike out hitters with the best of them, but figure in his 2.26 ERA with the 138 strikeouts and you are looking at your hardware winner in a very competitve race. His 11-4 record and 143 innings may be the biggest reason the Tigers are hanging around in the AL Central. He may even deserve some MVP votes because of how important he has been.
Others receiving consideration: James Shields (TB), CC Sabathia (NYY), Jered Weaver (LAA)

AL Manager of the Year: Manny Acta (Indians)
Others receiving consideration: Jim Leyland (DET), Joe Maddon (TB), Eric Wedge (SEA)

AL Rookie of the Year: Michael Pineda (Mariners)
Others receiving consideration: Jeremy Hellickson (TB), Zach Britton (BAL)

AL All-Pros
C - Alex Avila (DET)
1B - Adrian Gonzalez (BOS)
2B - Robinson Cano (NYY)
3B - Jose Bautista (TOR)
SS - Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)
OF - Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS)
OF - Melky Cabrera (KC)
OF - Curtis Granderson (NYY)
SP - Justin Verlander (DET)
SP - Jered Weaver (LAA)
RP - Aaron Crow (KC)
CL - Mariano Rivera (NYY)

Second Half  Turnarounds (The first name will cool off and the second name will heat up)

C - Alex Avila (DET) C - Mike Napoli (TEX)

1B - Mike Morse (WAS) 1B - Billy Butler (KC)

2B - Ben Zobrist (TB) 2B - Dan Uggla (ATL)

3B - Jhonny Peralta (DET) 3B - Evan Longoria (TB)

SS - Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE) SS - Hanley Ramirez (FLA)

OF - Carlos Beltran (NYM) OF - Carlos Gonzalez (COL)

OF - Lance Berkman (STL) OF - Mike Stanton (FLA)

OF - Matt Joyce (TB) OF - Ichiro (SEA)

SP - James Shields (TB) - SP - Ubaldo Jimenez (COL)

SP - Dan Haren (LAA) SP - Chris Carpenter (STL)

CL - Sergio Santos (CHW) CL - Mike Adams (SD)