Each week, I will be participating in the 2008 MLB Blog Poll, put together by BaseballHappenings.com. Below are my current votes for the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. These votes will be tabulated among other votes from other blogs to create a running master list of voting as the year progresses. Statistics are as of 10:00 p.m. Sunday. This week is the A.L. voting. Votes were asked to be turned in by the end of Monday, but I’ve submitted my list a day early.
MVP:
1. C A.J. Pierzynski, CHW: Hard to believe, but he’s absolutely on fire and is deserving of first place this early in the year.
2. RF Alex Rios, TOR: The budding star just saw his team sweep the Red Sox.
3. 3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY: The reigning MVP has gotten off to a hot start again.
Cy Young:
1. SP Felix Hernandez, SEA: Two starts, no runs, pure domination.
2. SP Rich Harden, OAK: Completely overwhelms hitters: 15 K in 11 IP.
3. CL Joe Nathan, MIN: 3 IP, 3 K, 3 SV. Could be considered the best closer in the game.
Rookie of the Year:
1. CF David Murphy, TEX: Only three currently qualify to be eligible for Rookie of the Year, and the former Red Sox farmhand deserves it, hitting .421/.476/.684 in the early going.
2. SP Nick Blackburn, MIN: Very impressive first start (7 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K). Could the Twinkies be better than we think?
3. 1B Daric Barton, OAK: An impressive first go-round as the first baseman for the A’s. Time will only tell if he can develop the power.
