2016 MLB Picks and Predictions: American League Award Favorites and Sleepers: The first week of the 2016 MLB season is in the books, and before things get into full swing, it is time to take a look at the frontrunners for the top individual awards in the American League. I’ve also included a sleeper for each award in case you want to try for a bigger payoff.
2016 MLB Picks & Predictions: American League Award Favorites and Sleepers
American League Most Valuable Player: Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Forget about the fact that he is one of the best all-around players in baseball, capable of winning a triple crown and a gold glove. It is just common sense to make him the favorite to win the MVP. After all, he has been in the majors four seasons and has one MVP and three runner-up finishes. He is easily the safest bet to take home the honor in 2016.
Sleeper: Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox
Opponents adjusted to Abreu last year, but he still managed to finish his second season with a .290 average, 30 homers and 101 RBI. His strong finish to the year has carried over into the start of this year, and Abreu’s immense power should result in even bigger numbers this year thanks to an improved White Sox lineup. Look for Abreu to finish around the .300 mark while being among the leaders in homers and RBI.
American League Cy Young: David Price, SP, Boston Red Sox
Pitching between Detroit and Toronto last season, Price ended up leading the American League in ERA and finishing second in WAR. He also ranked in the top five in WHIP, strikeouts and wins, and after showing he can dominate in Toronto’s hitter-friendly park, there is no reason to expect a drop in his performance in 2016. Price is a former Cy Young winner and was runner-up for the honor for the second time last year. He could recapture the award as the ace for a revitalized Red Sox team.
Sleeper: Carlos Carrasco, SP, Cleveland Indians
Carrasco is oozing with potential, but inexperience and injuries have held stopped him from outing it all together. Still, he finished last season ranked fourth in the majors in strikeout rate and fourth in the AL in WHIP, and he should only get better. Yes, he is a bit of a gamble, but Carrasco has the stuff to overpower any hitter and could run away with the Cy Young if he realizes his immense potential.
American League Rookie of the Year: Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins
It has been a slow start for Buxton, but of all the rookie of the year contenders, he is the safest bet to see a full-time role all season. He is also expected to bat leadoff for the Twins sooner rather than later, and his combination of power and speed should result in solid numbers when all is said and done.
Sleeper: Tyler White, 3B, Houston Astros
White is off to a torrid start, and he is batting over .600 after the first handful of games. He was recently moved into the middle of a Houston lineup loaded with young sluggers, so the RBI opportunities should continue to be there. The only question is whether or not he will continue to see regular at-bats once prospect A.J. Reed arrives on the scene.
American League Home Run Champion: Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore Orioles
He has led the majors in home runs in two of the past three seasons, so his raw power speaks for itself. Davis plays in his home games in a hitter-friendly park, and with excellent protection around him in the lineup in the form of Adam Jones and Manny Machado, opponents can’t afford to pitch around Davis. Look for him to land somewhere in the 40-to-50 home run range and be right in the mix for a third home run crown.
Sleeper: Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
Encarnacion has finished fourth, seventh, third and seventh in the AL in home runs over the last four seasons, and he has left around 100 at-bats on the table in all of those seasons because of injuries. Granted, there is no guarantee he will be able to avoid an injury in 2016, but if he reaches 600 at-bats, he is a near lock to belt 40-plus home runs and could even walk away with the crown.
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