With a quarter of the MLB season already gone, here’s how the New York City baseball awards would shake out if there was such a thing.
By Robby Sabo
There’s no question that the 2015 MLB season has already been one to think extra hard about – as it concerns the New York Yankees and Mets – but now, it’s on.
51 games down, 111 games to go.
The Yankees currently sit tied for first in the horrid AL East with a 26-25 mediocre average. As amazing as it sounds, the production they’ve received from guys like Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira have been all-world compared to what was expected.
Because their remarkable positives so far outweigh their few negatives, there is a major need for pessimism the rest of the way.
Cross town in Flushing, the New York Mets shot out of the gate quicker than anybody could’ve expected. A 13-3 start fueled thinking that there was already a new team in the city.
Then reality hit.
While Sandy Alderson’s ridiculous wealth of pitching will keep his 2015 Mets in the race all season, the cold hard reality that the lineup and bullpen has a ways to go.
The Washington Nationals have already caught and past the Mets. Fear not though, a 28-23 record, only a half-game out of first in the NL East isn’t too shabby.
On the eve of the first day of June, we take a look at the current New York Baseball Awards watch:
NYC MVP & Cy Young – Matt Harvey
When considering the MVP for the New York area, there’s only one man.
Matt Harvey returned in 2015 with a vengeance. Not only did he ease his way back into the Mets starting rotation, he forced himself back into the spotlight. Nothing other than “being the man” is more important to Harvey. It’s his DNA.
A 5-3 record, 3.11 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 66.2 innings pitched is his current stat-line.
A couple hiccups over the last few starts has seen his stats fall a bit. Still, Harvey is not only the NYC MVP, he’s the Cy Young Award winner at the current moment.
NYC Comeback Player of the Year – Alex Rodriguez
Is there anything more shocking in all of sports right now than what New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez is doing right now?
With 11 home runs, 27 RBI and a .281 batting average, it’s arguable that he’s been the Yanks most important player in 2015.
He’s now hitting third. Just think about that for a moment. This is a guy who hasn’t played close to a full season since 2007, and hasn’t topped 30 home runs since 2010.
NYC Hank Aaron Award – Mark Teixeira
Not to be upstaged by Alex Rodriguez is Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira.
The sole reason for the Yanks incredibly ranking second in MLB in home runs is due to A-Rod and Teixeira.
Both guys were enormous question marks coming into the season. Both guys have produced to a level that is astounding.
Teixeira’s 14 home runs and 35 RBI lead the team respectively.
NYC Manager of the Year – Joe Girardi
This one could have gone either way.
On one side, Terry Collins was receiving praise and left and right for his Mets clicking on all cylinders to open the season 13-3. Since, however, the steady hand of Joe Girardi has surpassed Collins slightly.
The main reason Girardi gets the nod is due to the way he handles his bullpen.
Despite having Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances being lights out, Girardi has managed a group of unknowns to sparkling work.
NYC Silver Slugger – Jacoby Ellsbury
Before Jacoby Ellsbury went on the shelf, he was enjoying one of his best seasons. Leading off with a .324 average, 29 runs scored and 14 stolen bases, he and Brett Gardner formed the best one-two punch at the top of the lineup in baseball.
Their work set the table for A-Rod and Teixeira behind them.
Choosing only one Silver Slugger in the New York area, Ellsbury is our guy, for now.
NYC Gold Glove – Juan Lagares
There is no debate: Mets center fielder Juan Lagares is the best fielder New York has to offer.
While his hitting still isn’t where Alderson and Collins want to see it, Lagares prevents a plethora of runs for his pitching on a nightly basis.
Lagares currently has 107 putouts, 1 assist and 0 errors through all the beautiful glove work we’ve seen in 2015.
NYC Rookie of the Year – Noah Syndergaard
It took only a few innings in Chicago to realize Noah Syndergaard was the real deal. And now, it took only four total starts to name him our NYC Rookie of the Year.
The Toronto Blue Jays front office has to be kicking themselves right about now.
Through those four starts, Syndergaard sports a 2.55 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched. Along with Harvey, Jacob deGrom and eventually Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz, Syndergaard will fit into a very scary looking Mets rotation for years to come.
NYC Relief Pitcher of the Year – Dellin Betances
Aside from Lagares being named the Gold Glove winner, this was the second easiest choice.
Yankees setup man Dellin Betances has been straight fire thus far.
Just take a look at his current numbers: a 0.00 ERA, 1.11 batting average against and 44 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched.
Enough said.
NYC Most Surprising – Alex Rodriguez
The only player who’ll bring home two awards today will be Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez.
First off, he deserves one of the hitting awards. Secondly, and more importantly, nobody even comes close to touching the shock value that he’s currently producing.
Only in Brian Cashman’s wildest dreams could he have envisioned an A-Rod year like this.
Sure, it’s still early, and at 39-years of age, A-Rod’s season can turn south in a heartbeat. At this moment though, the Yankees will gladly ride his hot bat.
Most have even, and fairly, speculated whether Rodriguez is yet again back on PED’s.
NYC Most Disappointing – David Wright
If A-Rod is the positive story of the season in New York baseball, then David Wright is surely the negative.
To think about where the Mets currently are, without their captain and breakthrough stud catcher Travis d’Arnaud, is truly amazing.
Wright only played a week with the team. He’s been gone due to a bum hamstring, and now, speculation about Spinal Stenosis has provided Wright-lovers with nightmares that he’ll never come back the same player.
Recent reports call his current status as day to day, even looking for a Wright return in a few weeks.
If both d’Arnaud and Wright can return with those bats, then this Mets team truly has a chance to compete come October.
Good that the Rangers are out. We all hate those losers. #LGI