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.
MVP:
1. LF Manny Ramirez, BOS: He’s seeing the ball unbelievable right now and has six homers on the year, tied for the lead in the A.L.
2. CF Josh Hamilton, TEX: He’s keeping the Rangers afloat in a year where the West looks ripe for the taking. “The Natural” looks to be a bonafide star for years to come.
3. 1B Carlos Guillen, DET: In a slow start for the Tigers, Guillen’s been the one offensive catalyst for the Detroit ballclub.
Cy Young:
1. Zack Greinke, KC: He’s off to an incredible start and looks to be realizing his potential. 1.24 ERA, 3-0 record.
2. Felix Hernandez, SEA: Erik Bedard was supposed to take the pressure off Felix. He wasn’t supposed to get hurt. No worries, King Felix, just 22, is breaking out.
3. Cliff Lee, CLE: He must have been hurt last year, right? A scintillating 0.40 ERA suggests so.
Rookie of the Year:
1. SP Nick Blackburn, MIN: A 2.49 ERA in four games started? Not only is he the clear choice for RoY, he’s among the best pitchers in the majors so far. He has a nice 12/3 K/BB ratio in 25.1 IP.
2. CF David Murphy, TEX:
