Here are my picks for MVP. Cy Young, and ROY.
National League
MVP: Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies. On a tear since 2015, Arenado has had 130 RBIs and hit 40 HRs each year. Unfortunately, the Rockies haven’t been a team to be reckoned with. That has hurt Arenado’s MVP chances, too. Kris Bryant and the World Series-winning Cubs won it in 2016. Then Stanton and his 59 HR’s was named MVP last year. But with the Rockies looking to improve as a team, I think Arenado will finally carry home the gold.
Courtesy: NY Post
Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw hasn’t won the award the last three years, but he has been a top-five vote-getter each time. Between the lefty’s skill set and copious talent around him, Kershaw is ready to surpass his rivals and win his fourth CY Young.
Rookie of the Year: Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves. Acuna is a star on an otherwise gutted Braves team. Atlanta hasn’t had a winning season since 2013 and prospects aren’t different this year. The good news is that Acuna has flourished in that otherwise gloomy environment, including having a fabulous 2018 Spring Training. With the Dansby Swanson project looking shaky, Acuna may be in line to be named ROY.
American League
MVP: Mookie Betts, OF, Boston Red Sox. It’s hard to win MVP with a guy named Trout in the same league. But don’t bet against Betts! Yes, Trout’s exceptional OBP earned him the honor last year as Mookie’s average/power decrease kept him out of the conversation for the award. I think this year will be different, though. Betts is primed for a breakthrough year and he’s playing on a star-studded Red Sox team. That should enable Mookie to land his first MVP trophy.
Courtesy: USAToday
CY Young: Luis Severino, SP, New York Yankees. Last year the Dominican struck out 230 batters and had an ERA below 3.00. That performance earned him 3rd place in the Cy Young voting. With batters around him to provide run support, expect Severino to surpass those tremendous numbers and bring home his first CY Young award.
Rookie of the Year: Gleyber Torres, 2B, New York Yankees. Do the Yankees have young talent? Yes! The newest face in the Bronx is 21-year-old Torres. He has an impressive glove and knows how to lock down second base. That’s important because the Yanks lost Castro in the Stanton trade. With his youth and a dynamite cast of companions, Torres is set up well to win the AL ROY award.
