Here are my midseason awards for the 2016 MLB Season.
American League
MVP: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros: Before the season, Altuve's teammate Carlos Correa was a sexy pick for this award, but Altuve leads the American League in batting average and has been the Astros best player thus far. It also helps that the Astros have turned their season around and are now back in the mix.
Runner up: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
Cy Young: Danny Salzar, Cleveland Indians: Salzar leads the American League in ERA and he is arguably the third best starter on the first place Indians. He has had some rough starts recently, but he's still deserving of this honor at the seasons midpoint.
Runner up: Steven Wright, Boston Red Sox
Rookie of the Year: Nomar Maraza, Texas Rangers: Maraza has been fun to watch this season on the American League's best team and he has proved that he belongs in the big leagues. Despite cooling off in June, Maraza is deserving of this honor.
Runner up: Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers
Manager of the Year: Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians: The Indians are in first place in the American League Central and Francona deserves props for that. This team with a few more savvy trade additions could very well be representing the American League in the Fall Classic.
Runner up: Buck Showalter, Baltimore Orioles
National League
MVP: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs: My preseason pick is indeed my midseason pick. Yes, the Cubs don't have the best record in the league anymore, but Bryant leads the National League in homeruns and is only going to get better as a player.
Runner up: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers: Who else? Yes, he's on the DL right now, but he's been no doubt the best pitcher in the game this season. It would be an upset if Kershaw doesn't win it this season.
Runner up: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers: Seager has lived upto lofty expectations coming into the season and is one of the big reasons why (other than Kershaw) the Dodgers own a Wild Card spot right now. Expect Seager to keep this up.
Runner up: Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies
Manager of the Year: Don Mattingly, Miami Marlins: Mattingly has done an outstanding job in his first year with the Markins so far. Giancarlo Stanton hasn't had a great first half and he has this team in the mix.
Runner up: Bruce Bochy, San Francisco Giants
