Bold Predictions: MLB Regular Season Award Winners

With the MLB regular season coming to a close, it comes time to evaluate the breakout performances that have taken place over the 162-game span.

There are a few things we have learned throughout the 2016 MLB Season:

• The Chicago Cubs are really good
• Whoever predicted the AL Central probably got it wrong
• You never go through a season without injuries (hmmm … Mets)
• Never doubt David Ortiz

Among the numerous standout performances and intriguing storylines that have highlighted a superb season, there are individuals waiting for their chances to be honored. There are brilliant campaigns waiting to be granted the hardware.

Of course, fans will have no knowledge of the league’s major award winners until after the postseason — the playoffs have no bearing on them. However, that does not stop the constant train of thought.

Thought as to who fortified their way to an MVP, a Cy Young, a Rookie of the Year, or a Manager of the Year. The list goes on and on.

With that said, let’s take a look at how everything should shake up if the awards were to be handed out today, Oct. 1.

AL MVP: David Ortiz

.316, 38 HR, 127 RBI, 1.027 OPS

Enough with the “he doesn’t play the field” talk. Big Papi, in his age 40 and final season, is having his highest power output since 2006.

Furthermore, his slugging percentage (.625) and OPS (1.027) lead baseball in their respective categories by a landslide. In what has been a fairytale final season, and a legendary farewell tour, no one is more deserving than Ortiz. In that case, why not throw him the award?

Before doing it, though, ask yourself one thing: where would the Red Sox be without David Ortiz? Once that question is thrown out there, you get an idea as to just how valuable he is.

NL MVP: Daniel Murphy

.347, 25 HR, 104 RBI, .987 OPS

Let’s put it point and blank. Daniel Murphy had an extraordinary year for the Washington Nationals. If it was not for a glute injury derailing his final slate of regular season games, he would be taking home an NL batting title and padding his power numbers.

With that being said, let’s go away from the sheer numbers, which he has, in his time on the field, padded brilliantly. The playoffs and the playoffs and the Nats most certainly need him.

That right there is why the award belongs to him. Without Murphy, Washington’s offense would not have been a shell of itself in the regular season, likely not winning the necessary number of games to hoist the NL East crown.

His value in the middle of that lineup is unparalleled in the National League, and it will show should he be at 100 percent come playoff time.

AL Cy Young: Zach Britton

65.1 IP, 2-1, 0.55 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 47/47 SV

There are some glamorous choices for people simply looking for a starter to win the AL Cy Young award. J.A. Happ and Rick Porcello have each eclipsed 20 wins. Justin Verlander has been straight dominant in a comeback season. Chris Sale has been dynamite in Chicago — not to mention his ridiculous jersey cutting stunt as a cherry on top.

All of these, however, are backup plans. It takes an outlandishly tremendous season from a relief pitcher to claim an award generally dominated by starting pitchers, or guys who have a much broader body of work.

Zach Britton has had that season.

Perfect in save opportunities with an ERA you just do not see, the left-handed sinkerballer has had a season that outweighs what any AL starter has done.

NL Cy Young: Jose Fernandez

182.1 IP, 16-8, 2.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 253 K

Sure, Kyle Hendricks has been put together a masterful season. Additionally, there is a surplus of great starting pitching in the National League.

However, only one man deserves the NL Cy Young award. The tragedy that took place with Jose Fernandez, taking him from this world too soon, is not the sole reason for this. His numbers prior to the accident were more than deserving.

At 16-8 with a 2.86 ERA over 29 starts, the electrifying young arm was mowing through the league. Destined to complete his first full season since his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2013, nothing but promise surrounded a top-five pitcher in the game.

He had hurled 182.1 frames, allowed merely 149 hits, walked only 55, and struck out 253 batters in dominating fashion. In the process, his career ERA had dipped to 2.58 while his record improved to 38-17. His career K/9 rate was 11.2. Long story short, looking at early signs, the kid had Hall of Fame stuff, Cooperstown poise, and was destined for baseball immortality — and, of course, his spirit will always live on. – The NL Cy Young Award Belongs To One Man Only – Elite Sports NY

AL Rookie of the Year: Gary Sanchez

52 G, .298, 20 HR, 42 RBI, .662 SLG, 1.035 OPS

Gary Sanchez ranks fourth in baseball among Rookies in home runs (20). The incredible part? He has played 45 games less than the leader in that category, Trevor Story, who has been done for the year for quite some time.

What the 23-year-old has been able to accomplish since an August 3 promotion has been nothing short of heroic, setting record after record en route to quite possibly the greatest “burst upon the scene” sequence in MLB history.

Here are his numbers projected over a 162-game season:

.298, 62 HR, 131 RBI, 1.035 OPS

Do not deny the fact that he has been of more value to his team over the second half than any other player in baseball. If you extended his campaign a month, he would be receiving numerous MVP votes.

NL Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager

155 G, .311, 26 HR, 72 RBI, .887 OPS

Corey Seager has been everything the Dodgers could have hoped for, and then some. The 22-year-old has been dynamite since day one of the campaign.

His numbers across the board are outstanding, particularly considering the position he plays. He leads all rookies who have played at least 75 games in batting average, ranks second in homer runs, and is tied for major league baseball’s rookie lead in RBIs.

With seven hits in his final two games, Seager will have 200 hits. For a first year player, that feat is astounding.

The voting here will be close to unanimous, if not that.

AL Manager of the Year: Joe Girardi

New York Yankees — 4th, AL East

Throughout everything, he has kept his team afloat. The underperformance of his veterans, the trade deadline firesale, the Alex Rodriguez release saga, the Mark Teixeira retirement announcement, and the mentoring of the franchise’s future.

With all that, and the little he was given to work with, Joe Girardi’s New York Yankees will win 83 games at the very least. That is simply phenomenal.

In his ninth year as Yankee skipper, he made a rebuild feel like a state of contention which, in the end, just fell short.

The BBWAA may favor Terry Francona, who anchored an unexpected Indians run to the AL Central title. As far as maximizing value, though, Girardi can and should take the honors.

Isn’t that what it is all about?

NL Manager of the Year: Dave Roberts

Los Angeles Dodgers — 1st, NL West *Clinched

When the Los Angeles Dodgers lost their ace, and perhaps a top-five pitcher of this generation, Clayton Kershaw, for an extended period of time, they were eight games back of the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.

Today, on October 1, they stand six games clear of those same Giants, having clinched the NL West while holding their ground for home-field advantage in the NLDS. Without a man who was keeping the team afloat for the entire first half, first-year skipper Dave Roberts did an exceptional job.

It was not only Kershaw. Los Angeles watched 28 — yes, 28 — players head to the disabled list at some point this year. Through all of the hardships, Roberts was able to successfully anchor the team to a fourth straight division title.

The 44-year-old, in his first gig as a major league baseball manager, will likely earn the most prestigious honor for a man of his stature.

Emmanuel Berbari is Elite Sports NY’s Editor in Chief. Interact with him and view his daily work by “liking” his facebook page. He invites you to email any questions, comments, or concerns as well.