The first half of the 2011 MLB season delivered some surprises — both the Indians and the Pirates emerged from the bottom of their divisions after finishing the 2010 season 25 and 34 games back respectively. Then again, the stacked and steady Phillies own the best record in baseball and the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is heating up in the AL East. It may only be July, but all signs point to some exciting fall ball.
As the game’s best report to Arizona for the All-Star game, we break down the numbers for SI Kids’ midseason awards. Keep reading to see our picks.
AL MVP
1. Jose Bautista - Toronto
2. Adrian Gonzalez - Boston
3. Miguel Cabrera - Detroit
Bautista leads the major leagues in home runs (29), on-base percentage (.467), slugging (.691), and walks (71). After a breakout season in 2010, the slugger is proving that he’s a reliable power hitter.
AL CY YOUNG
Justin Verlander - Detroit
Jered Weaver – Los Angeles
C.C. Sabathia – New York
Verlander’s fear factor separates him from the other top pitchers in the American League. His heater blew through Toronto’s lineup on May 7 for his second career no-hitter, and he leads the AL in strikeouts (138).
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Michael Pineda - Seattle
Jeremy Hellickson – Tampa Bay
Zach Britton - Baltimore
Pineda’s mid-90s fastball is catching veterans around the league off-guard. Hitters are only batting .193 (4th in the major leagues) off the Mariners’ newest hot shot.
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Manny Acta - Cleveland
Joe Maddon – Tampa Bay
Terry Francona - Boston
Cleveland’s second-year manager turned a team with 93 losses in 2010 into a favorite for first place in the AL Central.
NL MVP
Matt Kemp – Los Angeles
Jose Reyes – New York
Prince Fielder - Milwaukee
Jose Reyes has speed and Prince Fielder has power, but Matt Kemp brings both to the field. Through July 7, the first-time All-Star ranks first in the NL in slugging (.602) and third in homers (22) while leading the Dodgers in stolen bases (26).
NL CY YOUNG
Roy Halladay - Philadelphia
Jair Jurrjens - Atlanta
Cole Hamels - Philadelphia
Jurrjens leads the NL in wins (12) and ERA (1.87), but Halladay is right behind him with 11 wins and has twice as many strikeouts (131). Plus, “Doc’s” six complete games have given the Phillies bullpen some valuable rest.
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Craig Kimbrel - Atlanta
Danny Espinosa - Washington
Dillon Gee – New York
Kimbrel’s 27 saves lead the National League. With Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson starting games and Kimbrel closing them, Atlanta’s opponents are at a serious disadvantage.
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Clint Hurdle - Pittsburgh
Charlie Manuel - Philadelphia
Tony La Russa – St. Louis
If Hurdle can keep the Pirates above .500 at the All-Star break, he’d be the first Pittsburgh manager to do so since 1992.
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