It’s good to be back.  Since teams are now reporting to spring training for the 2015 baseball season, I think that now would be the appropriate time to share my picks for the 2015 season.  Let’s start with the awards.

AL MVP:  Mike Trout CF, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

NL MVP:  Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Mike Trout is by far and away the best player in baseball so it’s no surprise that I chose him as MVP.  As for McCutchen, I think that this is the year that he takes his team to the next level and starts some postseason magic for the Pirates.  He’s a five-tool player, a clutch performer, and someone who you can count on to make things exciting.

AL Cy Young:  Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

NL Cy Young:  Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants

I think that Felix will win this one in a landslide due to his disdain at barely losing to last year’s Cy Young winner, Indians pitcher Corey Kluber.  As for the national league, Bumgarner will pick up where he left off from the 2014 postseason and claim his first Cy Young award.  Unfortunately for the Giants though, they miss the postseason.

AL Manager of the Year:  Lloyd McClendon, Seattle Mariners

NL Manager of the Year:  Joe Maddon, Chicago Cubs

McClendon wins this one because he will lead Seattle to the best record in baseball.  I know that this is probably going to jinx the team, but to heck with it, I think that this is the year Seattle goes all the way.  Maddon turns around a Cubs franchise and leads them to the Playoffs for the first time since 2008.

AL Rookie of the Year:  Aaron Sanchez, Pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays

NL Rookie of the Year:  Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs

I haven’t done a whole lot of research on these two prospects, but both are poised to breakout and potentially help their teams do so as well.  In his first full season Bryant went all the way to Triple-A and led the minors in home runs.  Sanchez meanwhile pitched out of Toronto’s bullpen for part of the season with an ERA of only 1.09.  There’s talk that even if he doesn’t crack the rotation he could be a good closer instead.  This is always hard to predict, but I’d be surprised if these two didn’t get called up very soon by their respective teams.

That’s all for today.  I will have the playoff predictions tomorrow.

HOHOHO!