Each week, I am participating in the 2008 MLB Blog Poll at RotoJunkie.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.
MVP:
1. 1B Albert Pujols, STL: He hasn’t missed a beat despite missing time with an injury and is probably the sole reason why the Cardinals are threatening in the Central. Yeah, the pitching’s great. Wouldn’t mean much without Albert.
2. 2B Chase Utley, PHI: Utley has gotten the Phillies off to a strong start, helping fend off the surprising Marlins and resurgent Mets. The Phillies need him to keep up production if they’re going to finish in first.
3. 2B Dan Uggla, FLA: Perhaps a big reason why the Phillies won’t be division champions will be because of the play of Uggla, who is simply raking in what can be strongly considered his career year.
Cy Young:
1. SP Tim Lincecum, SF: I’m having Lincecum leapfrog Volquez because Tim is simply insane and won’t stop while Edison has shown a few chinks in his armor lately. Lincecum has also tossed 5.1 additional innings and boasts a 10-1 record. Again: a 10-1 record. For the offensively challenged Giants. Whaaaa?
2. SP Edison Volquez, CIN: Edison’s still in the hunt for the gold. At 11-3, 110.2, 2.36, the future’s looking bright in Cincy, indeed.
3. SP Ben Sheets, MIL: Sheets, Lincecum and Volquez are all in rather similar positions. Sheets has a 10-2 record in his contract year and is anchoring the Brewers who are making a strong charge for first place in the Central. Adding C.C. only helps.
Rookie of the Year:
1. C Geovany Soto, CHC: He’s the first Cub rookie to start behind the dish and his .902 OPS makes him a fearsome batter at the plate.
2. 1B Joey Votto, CIN: The future might not be now in Cincy, but it’s certainly bright with Votto anchoring a suddenly intriguing lineup along with Jay Bruce.
3. SP Jair Jurrjens, ATL: Jurrjens is looking more and more like a steal with each day that goes by. If the Braves can get the injury gods to smile on them for a change, Jurrjens could help lead the charge.
What do you think? Did I do a good job picking the award winners if the season was to end today?
