As the League Championship series are about to start, let's take a look back at the regular season in the NL West. Here I'll give my awards for the division.
To view my midseason awards, click here.
MVP - Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Padres
Even with the Padres collapsing down the stretch, Gonzalez did all he could to earn a playoff spot. He finished the season with a .298 average, .393 OBP, 31 home runs, 101 RBIs, and 33 doubles. He also played in 160 games and committed only eight errors for a .995 fielding %.
Honorable mention: Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies; Brian Wilson, RP, Giants; Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies
Cy Young - Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, Rockies
He couldn't quite get that magical 20th win, but he still was dominant all season long. In the end he put together a 19-8 record with a 2.88 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 214 strikeouts in 221 2/3 innings. His road numbers were stronger away from Coors Field (as is the case with every Rockies' pitcher), but he still was 9-2 with a 3.19 ERA at home. Plus, let's not forget about his no-hitter back on April 17 against the Wild Card champion Braves.
Honorable mention: Matt Cain, SP, Giants; Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants; Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
Rookie of the Year - Buster Posey, C, Giants
There isn't any doubt about this one. Posey was clearly the top dog of the rookies. In helping the Giants claim the NL West crown, he finished the year with a .305 average, .357 OBP, 18 homers, 67 RBIs, and 23 doubles. He also gunned down 23 base stealers in 62 chances.
Honorable mention: Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants, Eric Young, OF, Rockies
Comeback Player of the Year - Aubrey Huff, 1B, Giants
After doing next to nothing with the Orioles and Tigers last season, Huff was signed by the Giants to try and revive his power. It worked, as he ended up hitting .295 with a .380 OBP, 26 homers, 86 RBIs, 35 doubles, and even a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases. The Giants don't have any big stars in their lineup, but Huff is one of the big pieces to their success.
Honorable mention: Chris Young, OF, Diamondbacks
Best Relief Pitcher - Brian Wilson, Closer, Giants
Both Wilson and Heath Bell have similar numbers, but Wilson gets the nod based on his clutch performances down the stretch. A couple years ago, Wilson had 41 saves, but with a 4.62 ERA. After lowering his ERA last season, it went down to a minuscule 1.81 this year. He also had a whopping 48 saves and 93 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings.
Honorable mention: Heath Bell, Closer, Padres; Hong-Chih Kuo, Setup/Closer, Dodgers
Showing posts with label NL West awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NL West awards. Show all posts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
First-half NL West awards
The first half of the 2010 season is in the books. The NL West has been a very competitive division, with only four games separating the Padres, Rockies, Dodgers, and Giants.
Here I will give out my mid-season awards, NL West style.
MVP - Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, Rockies
It's just too hard to ignore how fantastic he has been this season. He's 15-1 (15-1!) with a 2.20 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts in 127 innings. The Rockies have won 16 of the 18 games he's started. He also has a no-hitter over the Braves.
Honorable mention: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Padres
Cy Young - Jimenez
He barely has my MVP, but he clearly is the best pitcher.
Honorable mention: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Tim Lincecum, Giants
Rookie of the Year - Buster Posey, C/1B, Giants
Posey wasn't called up until June 11, but has not disappointed. After a slow June, he's really picked it up in July, swinging a red-hot bad. Overall, he's hitting .350 with a .389 OBP, seven homers, 23 RBIs, and 22 runs.
Honorable mention: Carlos Monasterios, RP, Dodgers
Comeback Player of the Year - Rafael Furcal, SS, Dodgers
Furcal has been the sparkplug of the Dodgers' offense. He's hitting .333 with a .383 OBP, six homers, 35 RBIs, 51 runs, and 14 stolen bases. Take him out of the lineup, and the Dodgers are a completely different team.
Honorable mention: Aubrey Huff, 1B, Giants; Chris Young, OF, Diamondbacks
Now here's some random awards I just made up.
Best Team - San Diego Padres
Who could have possibly imagined the Padres would be in first place with a 51-27 record? I'm not sure even Padre fans would admit that. They might not have gotten much respect in the All-Star voting, but they have been the best team since the beginning. The main ingredient has been an incredible bullpen.
Worst Team - Arizona Diamondbacks
When Brandon Webb went down after making only one start, it was a sign of things to come. With Dan Haren not pitching like an ace, no other starters to turn to, and an offense that has been a disappointment, it's easy to see why the D-Backs are bringing up the rear. Kirk Gibson has recently taken over as interim manager, but it hasn't made much of a difference.
Best Offense - Colorado Rockies
The Dodgers are a close second, but the Rockies have the edge in power numbers. Yes, they play in Coors Field, but they still produce. Their .342 OBP and 430 runs are second in the NL, and 95 homers fourth.
Worst Offense - San Diego Padres
It's almost contradictory that they are the best team and have the worst offense, but the numbers don't lie. In the West, they rank last in runs, home runs, average, and OBP. The Diamondbacks are certainly close, but have slightly better numbers.
Best Pitching - San Diego Padres
Here's why the Padres are winning: they can out-pitch anyone. They rank first in the NL with a 3.25 ERA, hits, and earned runs. Their starters have been a pleasant surprise, and their bullpen closes the door each time.
Worst Pitching - Arizona Diamondbacks
Uuuuuuggggggly. That's the best way to describe a team ERA of 5.27. They've just never recovered from Webb going down. Haren hasn't been the same, their bullpen is a joke, and they constantly find ways to give away games. It's not pretty.
Best Moment - Jimenez's no-hitter against the Braves on April 17
Arizona's Edwin Jackson also tossed a no-no, but Jimenez did it with less walks and more strikeouts. This was only his third start of the season, and it started the string of no-hitters/perfect games that have dominated baseball thus far. It was also his calling out party, as the world began finding out just how good he is.
Here I will give out my mid-season awards, NL West style.
MVP - Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, Rockies
It's just too hard to ignore how fantastic he has been this season. He's 15-1 (15-1!) with a 2.20 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts in 127 innings. The Rockies have won 16 of the 18 games he's started. He also has a no-hitter over the Braves.
Honorable mention: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Padres
Cy Young - Jimenez
He barely has my MVP, but he clearly is the best pitcher.
Honorable mention: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Tim Lincecum, Giants
Rookie of the Year - Buster Posey, C/1B, Giants
Posey wasn't called up until June 11, but has not disappointed. After a slow June, he's really picked it up in July, swinging a red-hot bad. Overall, he's hitting .350 with a .389 OBP, seven homers, 23 RBIs, and 22 runs.
Honorable mention: Carlos Monasterios, RP, Dodgers
Comeback Player of the Year - Rafael Furcal, SS, Dodgers
Furcal has been the sparkplug of the Dodgers' offense. He's hitting .333 with a .383 OBP, six homers, 35 RBIs, 51 runs, and 14 stolen bases. Take him out of the lineup, and the Dodgers are a completely different team.
Honorable mention: Aubrey Huff, 1B, Giants; Chris Young, OF, Diamondbacks
Now here's some random awards I just made up.
Best Team - San Diego Padres
Who could have possibly imagined the Padres would be in first place with a 51-27 record? I'm not sure even Padre fans would admit that. They might not have gotten much respect in the All-Star voting, but they have been the best team since the beginning. The main ingredient has been an incredible bullpen.
Worst Team - Arizona Diamondbacks
When Brandon Webb went down after making only one start, it was a sign of things to come. With Dan Haren not pitching like an ace, no other starters to turn to, and an offense that has been a disappointment, it's easy to see why the D-Backs are bringing up the rear. Kirk Gibson has recently taken over as interim manager, but it hasn't made much of a difference.
Best Offense - Colorado Rockies
The Dodgers are a close second, but the Rockies have the edge in power numbers. Yes, they play in Coors Field, but they still produce. Their .342 OBP and 430 runs are second in the NL, and 95 homers fourth.
Worst Offense - San Diego Padres
It's almost contradictory that they are the best team and have the worst offense, but the numbers don't lie. In the West, they rank last in runs, home runs, average, and OBP. The Diamondbacks are certainly close, but have slightly better numbers.
Best Pitching - San Diego Padres
Here's why the Padres are winning: they can out-pitch anyone. They rank first in the NL with a 3.25 ERA, hits, and earned runs. Their starters have been a pleasant surprise, and their bullpen closes the door each time.
Worst Pitching - Arizona Diamondbacks
Uuuuuuggggggly. That's the best way to describe a team ERA of 5.27. They've just never recovered from Webb going down. Haren hasn't been the same, their bullpen is a joke, and they constantly find ways to give away games. It's not pretty.
Best Moment - Jimenez's no-hitter against the Braves on April 17
Arizona's Edwin Jackson also tossed a no-no, but Jimenez did it with less walks and more strikeouts. This was only his third start of the season, and it started the string of no-hitters/perfect games that have dominated baseball thus far. It was also his calling out party, as the world began finding out just how good he is.
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