2013 MLB Picks and Predictions: American League Award Favorites

2013 MLB Picks and Predictions: American League Award Favorites: The 2013 MLB season is in the books, and while the playoffs will be beginning this week, it is time to take one last look back at what happened during the regular season and hand out some hardware to the top individual players. Just like last year, the competition for the MVP and Cy Young in the American League was stout while some of the other majors awards were a little easier to call. With that in mind, here is a closer look at who I think will end up winning the top awards in the American League for the 2013 MLB season.

American League Most Valuable Player: Miguel Cabrera, Third Baseman, Detroit Tigers

If I had a vote, I would pick Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout because his baserunning and defensive abilities make him the superior all-around player. However, Cabrera’s offensive numbers and the fact the fact that the Tigers won the Central Division will tip the scales in his favor when the people that do have votes cast their ballots. To be fair, Cabrera did win his second consecutive batting title while finishing second in home runs, RBIs and runs scored so he was pretty darn dominant at the plate. Cabrera also led the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS. He didn’t win his second consecutive Triple Crown, but he will win his second straight AL MVP Award.

American League Cy Young: Max Scherzer, Starting Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

Texas’ Yu Darvish is in the conversation, but Scherzer finished the year ranked in the top five in ERA, WHIP, opponent batting average, strikeouts and innings pitched. In fact, his 0.97 WHIP was the best in the American League, and he also ranked second in strikeouts and opponent batting average. Throw in the fact that Scherzer led the majors with 21 wins, and his body of work is more than enough to net him the Cy Young in 2013.

American League Rookie of the Year: Wil Myers, Outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays

Despite playing just 88 games, Myers was able to do enough damage with his bat to separate himself from the rest of the rookies in the American League. In fact, he actually led all rookies with 53 RBIs, 23 doubles and a .831 OPS. Myers also finished second among rookies with 13 homers, 50 runs scored and a .293 average.

Comeback Player of the Year: Scott Kazmir, Starting Pitcher, Cleveland Indians

Kazmir’s once-promising career seemed all but over after injuries and command issues limited him to just 1.2 innings combined in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. However, he resurfaced in Cleveland this year, posting a 10-9 record for the playoff-bound Indians. Kazmir also managed a 4.04 ERA after posting a 5.94 ERA in his last full season while striking out 162 and walking just 47 in 158.0 innings of work. He didn’t have Cy Young-caliber numbers by any means, but Kazmir’s surprising turnaround should net him the Comeback Player of the Year honors in the AL.

Manager of the Year: Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians

Last year, the Indians finished with a dismal 68-94 record and were 20.0 games out first place in the Central Division. Enter Francona, and Cleveland will be playing in October after snagging a wild card spot with a 92-70 record. Heck, the Indians missed a division title by just a single game after closing the regular season with 10 straight victories. The 24-game turnaround should more than enough to earn Francona Manager of the Year honors, and if he happens to end Cleveland’s World Series drought after already helping the Boston Red Sox do the same, the Chicago Cubs should come running in the offseason with a blank check.

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