AL MVP
Mike Trout OF, Los Angeles Angels - It is finally time to embrace Trout as the MVP of the American League. We could argue all day that he deserved it in the last two years as well. The numbers right now for Trout are pretty solid with him leading the American League in WAR, OPS (Only player over 1,000) and second in runs scored, OBP and Slugging Percentage. Also it doesn't hurt that Los Angeles is one of the best teams this season unlike the last two years.
AL Cy Young:
Scott Kazmir, P, Oakland A's - Yup, King Felix doesn't bring his second Cy Young back to Seattle. There can be a case made for Kazmir whose having a better year than Hernandez in my opinion. He allowed less hits, runs, earned runs than Felix even though Kazmir gets trumped when it comes to WAR and strikeouts. Further, the reason some of his numbers are down is due to having one less start than Hernandez on the season. I think he is worth consideration at this point.
AL Rookie of the Year:
Jose Abreu 1B, Chicago White Sox - Just hand him the trophy today. There is no one whom will come close to the season the Cuban sensation is having for the White Sox. He leads the league in home runs with 29, and there is a chance he could hit 50 or more for the season. Additionally, he leads the American League in Slugging Percentage. It is not just home runs either as Abreu is hitting .292 on the season. Not out of the realm of possibilities for Abreu to be considered for the MVP when it's all said and done.
AL Surprise Team:
Seattle Mariners - Even though it should have been expected Seattle would get better with their free agent acquisitions of Robinson Cano, Corey Hart and others, they still need to win games. We saw with Toronto last season where they brought in all sorts of talent and didn't win. Seattle is seven games over .500 and have 50 wins already. Sadly, they play in the toughest division in baseball. If Seattle would be one or two back if they were in any other AL division, they are the second team in the Wild Card.
AL Disappointing Team:
Boston Red Sox - This is a no-brainer. The World Series champions have fallen off a cliff from last season. They are nine games under .500 with a run differential of negative 38. It doesn't seem like things will get better for this team. What's weird is they aren't completely out of it in the AL East. Currently, they are 9.5 games back from first place and if they go on some tear, Boston could be right back in the race.
AL Breakout Player:
Michael Brantley OF, Cleveland Indians - It was between two Indians as to who would take this honor, but I went with Brantley given that he is still excelling while Lonnie Chisenhall has been sort of falling off in the last couple of months. Brantley already has his career-best in home runs with 15 and his average is up to .322, the highest of his career. Further, Brantley is four doubles away from matching his 2013 total.
AL Regressing Player:
Brian McCann C, New York Yankees - I am not saying New York overpaid for McCann's services, but I am not saying they didn't. McCann is not having an enjoyable experience in the Bronx yet. He is only hitting .239 with 10 home runs on the season. McCann had a terrible June going .198 with only two hits going 17 of 86 for the month. McCann's July has been far different so maybe he will have a second half surge.
Most Overplayed Storyline:
Justin Verlander and Kate Upton - I am over this relationship. People love to talk about it whether it was them going on vacation or being at a basketball game. It is time to retire this being important in our day-to-day life. By the way, Verlander leads the league in earned runs and ERA so that's good.
Bold Prediction
One of the AL West Big Three will miss the playoffs - I don't know how bold of a prediction this but right now, the AL West is the class of the American League. Four teams are four or less games back from Seattle for the second position. Los Angeles seems like they will take the other Wild Card, but we have seen the Angels go into bad swings before too.
Charlie.
