Pinstripe Press
By Editor at July 4, 2024 | 8:45 am | Print
As we near the midway point of the season I promised my picks for winners so far of the season.
Surprise team of the year: Milwaukee Brewers
I could see Ryan Braun having a good year, but the rest of the team is not much better than average. Still the Brewers lead the National League Central by 6.5 games.
Home Run Derby Winner: Toronto’s Jose Bautista if he plays. He has been nursing an injury. I also like Brandon Moss.
Cy Young: Yankees Masahiro Tanaka and Adam Wainwright of St. Louis
It seems obvious why I would take Tanaka. He is 11-3 with a 2.10 ERA and 127 strikeouts.
Wainwright won my vote by being 10-4 with a 2.01 ERA and 105 strikeouts. His K’s are not great, but he would be my choice in the National League.
Rookie of the Year: Chicago White Sox Jose Abreu and Billy Hamilton of Cincinnati
It was difficult for me not to take Tanaka. I just feel everyday players should be chosen.
I chose Cincinnati’s Hamilton because he has 34 stolen bases and all the other rookies are close. I almost went with New Britain’s George Springer, but I felt I was being partial.
Abreu has been amazing. I wish he were on the Yankees. He has 25 home runs and was injured a few weeks. This guy is the real deal.
MVP: Baltimore’s Nelson Cruz and Troy Tulowitzki of Colorado
Cruz has 25 home runs and 66 RBI’s. Tulowitzki has a .353 batting average and 18 home runs. I’m not sure how anyone can choose anyone else. These guys have been dominant. If the Yankees had someone offensively playing close to these guys, they would be in first.
Division Winners: New York (Yes, I am partial), Detroit, Oakland, Atlanta, St. Lous, Los Angeles
My dark horse Pittsburgh Pirates may still sneak in for a wildcard spot as will Boston.
World Series Teams: Oakland A’s and LA Dodgers
I love what I have seen from the A’s this season. They are the toughest team the Yankees have played. I actually fear this team.
As for the Dodgers, I love Don Mattingly and feel this is their year to get to the big series
I think, however, I would take the A’s to win it all. I may change my mind by September.
Yankee Player of the Year: Tanaka
That call is too easy to make. I say Dellin Betances and Brett Gardner are tied for second. Jacoby Ellsbury is in the mix as well.
Biggest Yankee Disappointment: Carlos Beltran
I said it last week and I will continue to say that I expect more this guy, I am hoping the second half is much better for him than the first half has been.
Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda are all disappointments as well. I gave them all a break because of injury. With those three playing well, the Yankees would have been World Series bound.
