2014 MLB Picks and Predictions: Early Favorites for Every Major Award: With the 2014 season just underway, I have already previewed the top contenders and sleepers for the top awards in baseball. However, it is time to take one last look at my predictions for each major award in both the National and American League. Here are my picks.
National League Most Valuable Player: Freddie Freeman, First Baseman, Atlanta Braves
He finished fifth in the NL MVP voting last year, and Freeman has been steadily improving across the board as he heads into his fourth season in the majors. Last year, Freeman posted career-highs with a .319 average, 23 home runs and 109 RBIs. He also posted career-highs in hits, walks and OPS while striking a career-low 121 times. Freeman is already really good, and he just keeps getting better. As the big bat in the middle of a solid Atlanta lineup, he should be able to pile up the offensive numbers it takes to win the MVP.
American League Most Valuable Player: Mike Trout, Outfielder, Los Angeles Angels
After finishing runner-up to Miguel Cabrera in each of his first two seasons in the majors, Trout should finally get over the hump in 2014. We are talking about a guy that is going to make a run at a 30-30 season while competing for a batting title and possibly leading the league in runs scored. By the way, he also plays Gold Glove defense in the outfield. Trout is already the best all-around player in baseball, and in 2014, he will be recognized as the most valuable, as well.
National League Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Starting Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kershaw cruised to his second Cy Young in the last three seasons in 2013, and he should repeat in 2014. He has led the NL in ERA and WHIP in each of the past three seasons, winning two strikeout titles during the stretch. Kershaw’s career averages include a 2.60 ERA and a 224 strikeouts, and at just 26 years old, his run of dominance isn’t over.
American League Cy Young: Yu Darvish, Starting Pitcher, Texas Rangers
His second season in the majors was a brilliant one, and Darvish finished second in the Cy Young voting after posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 277 strikeouts. After Darvish made such gains across the board between his rookie year and last season, it is fair to assume that he can at least improve a little more in 2014. Darvish has some of the nastiest stuff in the game, and I expect him to compete for an ERA title and make a run at 300 strikeouts en route to the Cy Young in 2014.
National League Rookie of the Year: Oscar Tavares, Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals
With Carlos Beltran off to the New York Yankees, a spot in the lineup has been opened up for the consensus top prospect in baseball. Tavares bat control and plate coverage screams future batting title winner, and while he might not have 30-homer power, his steady bat should still do plenty of damage in a potent St. Louis lineup. Look for Tavares to hit around .300 in 2014 with solid RBI and run totals. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the NL Rookie of the Year Award with relative ease.
American League Rookie of the Year: Masahiro Tanaka, Starting Pitcher, New York Yankees
While I don’t expect Tanaka’s transition to the majors to be a walk in the park, he does have the stuff to put together a solid season. An ERA in the mid-3s would fall in line with what other dominant Japanese stars have been able to produce in their rookie seasons, and with the support of a solid New York offense, a 15-win season isn’t out of the question. Tanaka is locked into a rotation spot in 2014, and his steady production should allow him to snag Rookie of the Year honors.
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