The baseball season has unofficially reached its midseason point. So, yes it is now time to hand out the midseason awards. We asked several ESPN experts to make their picks in a number of categories -- NL and AL MVP, NL and AL Cy Young, NL and AL Rookie of the Year and the biggest surprises and disappointments.
So, without further ado, here's what they had to say:
Peter Gammons |
NL MVP: Mike Piazza, by a wrist over Barry Bonds.
Their offensive numbers are virtually a dead heat, and no one will question Bonds' greatness. But this is about position, about how much Piazza has dedicated himself to catching rather than moving to another position and ensuring Hall of Fame numbers and about bringing the Mets back into the race. To be fair, the fact that Jeff Kent is having a top-five MVP year probably hurts Bonds. Todd Helton and Gary Sheffield will be in it, as will Mark McGwire. OK, Jim Edmonds is having a superstar season, but he's helped by McGwire's presence, which takes the heat off everyone.
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez, barely over Ivan Rodriguez, with a tip of the cap to Carlos Delgado, Magglio Ordonez and Nomar Garciaparra (check the OPS rankings).
A-Rod is, in the eyes of no less an expert than Paul Molitor, "the best player in the game and will remain so because of his work ethic and values," and one of the reasons Molitor thinks the Mariners will be in the World Series.
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson, with Kevin Brown and Al Leiter hovering.
AL Cy Young: There may be two runs difference in ERA, but David Wells edges Pedro Martinez right now because of his 14 wins and because he has won all nine of his road starts for a team that is a far better home team. Yes, Wells leads the league in hits allowed, but he's able to get around that because he doesn't walk anyone.
NL Rookie of the Year: Every one of the top candidates -- Rick Ankiel, Rafael Furcal, Jay Payton and Mitch Meluskey -- gets an incomplete because they haven't done enough. Don't count out Payton, who's been in the regular lineup for little more than a month and leads NL rookies in homers and total bases while playing center field.
AL Rookie of the Year: Right now, it's a three-horse race between Angels catcher Bengie Molina (9 HR, 37 RBI, most improved catcher in the game), A's center fielder Terrence Long(on a 25-HR, 100-run, 75-RBI, 75-walk pace, and remember this is a guy who got one walk all spring training) and Adam Kennedy, who one scout says, "is the best ugly player in the game."
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Dave Campbell |
NL MVP: Tie, between Jeff Kent and Mike Piazza
So much in voting for an MVP leads to how many RBI a guy has. Kent is first in the NL in this category while Piazza is third.
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez
Hovering oh so close are a handful of players, including Frank Thomas, Carlos Delgado and Edgar Martinez.
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson
In a runaway.
AL Cy Young: David Wells because of his 14 wins
It's tough to not vote for Pedro Martinez, but because he's hurt Wells gets the nod.
NL Rookie of the Year: Rick Ankiel
He is the best of this small crop.
AL Rookie of the Year: Adam Kennedy
Biggest surprise: Chicago White Sox
I knew this team would be better this year, but nobody could have predicted they would be this good.
Biggest disappointment: Houston Astros
The nightmare continues. | |
Tim Kurkjian |
NL MVP: Mike Piazza
This is another close vote, but Piazza is hitting nearly .360 with more than 70 RBI while playing the most physically demanding position on the field.
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez
The Mariners are in first place, and A-Rod plays shortstop, which gives him a slight edge over Carlos Delgado, a first baseman who is not the defensive player that A-Rod is.
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson
The Big Unit is on his way to winning the NL triple crown for pitching (wins, strikeouts and ERA).
AL Cy Young: Pedro Martinez
This is a difficult choice over David Wells, but Martinez' ERA (1.44) is almost two runs less than anyone in the league, and he leads the league in strikeouts. He has also lost some hard-luck games.
NL Rookie of the Year: Rick Ankiel
He has been in the rotation for one of the league's best teams. His ERA of 3.74 is really good in today's game. Plus, he's one of the best hitting pitchers I've ever seen.
AL Rookie of the Year: Adam Kennedy
He has solidified a position that was a major question mark in spring training. He's been there all year and has helped keep the Angels in the AL West race.
Biggest surprise: Chicago White Sox
No one picked them to win the division, or picked them to have the best record in baseball the first week of July.
Biggest disappointment: Houston Astros
No one picked them to be last in the NL Central, and no one had any idea that they would have the worst record in baseball on the first week of July. | |
Harold Reynolds |
NL MVP: Mike Piazza/Barry Bonds/Jim Edmonds/Mark McGwire/Vladimir Guerrero/Chipper Jones
These six players are all in the running, and no one is the hands-down winner.
AL MVP: Carl Everett/Alex Rodriguez
Nomar Garciaparra missed some time with an injury, and Everett has been incredible. Since Ken Griffey Jr. left Seattle, A-Rod has driven in nearly 80 runs and hit 24 homers while playing shortstop flawlessly.
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson
Nobody is even close to the Big Unit, although Darryl Kile has had a solid season.
AL Cy Young: David Wells
Everybody will probably choose Pedro Martinez, but Wells has 14 wins.
NL Rookie of the Year: Rafael Furcal
The 19-year-old shortstop has made the Braves a better team. They struggle when he's not playing. He changes the whole team when he bats leadoff and plays either short or second.
AL Rookie of the Year: Terrence Long
Angels catcher Bengie Molina plays the more demanding position, but I'll take the A's center fielder. Long came in not expecting to play, but he has solidified the outfield in Oakland.
Biggest surprise: Chicago White Sox
Nobody expected them to be this good or have the depth they have shown throughout the organization.
Biggest disappointment: Houston Astros
So much was expected of them. Plus, the new ballpark has contributed to their downfall. | |
Buck Martinez |
NL MVP: Mike Piazza
I pick Piazza for the same reason as Delgado in the AL -- he's fourth in batting, fifth in homers and third in RBI. Plus, being a catcher, he gives the Mets another position of added offense, since most catchers don't produce like Piazza does.
AL MVP: Carlos Delgado
He is in the top five in the Triple Crown categories.
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson
Johnson finishes games when he's on the mound, and he is head and shoulders above the rest of the league in strikeouts. He dominates the game.
AL Cy Young: David Wells
Wells is first in wins, second in ERA and fourth in innings pitched. He is a complete-game workhorse.
NL Rookie of the Year: Pat Burrell
He already has 30 RBI in 38 games and should have a major impact in a strong second half for the Phillies.
AL Rookie of the Year: Bengie Molina
He's hitting .307 with nine homers and 37 RBI and has the potential to be a Pudge Rodriguez type of catcher.
Biggest surprise: Chicago White Sox
I liked the Sox in spring training and picked them to win the AL Central because of the depth of the pitching staff. They have one of the longest bullpens and have thrived under Jerry Manuel's positive influence.
Biggest disappointment: Cleveland Indians
Because of injuries, it may not be fair to call them a big disappointment, but they did not play well as a team in the first half. | |
Mike Macfarlane |
NL MVP: Barry Bonds
Bonds is having a monster year -- period.
AL MVP: Jason Giambi
Giambi has carried the A's offensively while John Jaha and Matt Stairs have struggled. He is the consistent leader of that team.
NL Cy Young: Randy Johnson
He has just dominated from day one.
AL Cy Young: David Wells
Wells is a guy who has gone about his business and put together a 14-2 record for a first-place team.
NL Rookie of the Year: Rafael Furcal
Despite being only a teenager, Furcal hasn't been intimidated playing on a first-place team. He has kept his game intact and has more than held his own.
AL Rookie of the Year: Mark Quinn
The Royals DH/outfielder's offensive numbers are among the best for rookies, even though he was sent down to the minors for a while. I'm picking him to win the award outright at the end of the season.
Biggest surprise: Chicago White Sox
They have exemplified the word "team" since the beginning of the season. Their entire lineup can mash, and they are getting great pitching from their starters.
Biggest disappointment: Cleveland Indians
I haven't seen any spark or fire that their dominance should bring. They have played flat for almost the entire first half. | |
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ALSO SEE
Ten second-half questions for the AL
Ten second-half questions for the NL
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