BBRT Casts Votes on Baseball Bloggers Alliance 2013 Awards

After each season, members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA) vote on a series of awards for each league:

Stan Musial Award (top player in each league);

Walter Johnson Award (top starting pitcher);

Willie Mays Award (top rookie)

Goose Gossage Award (top relief pitcher)

Connie Mack Award (top manager)

BBRT will provide a link to the BBA site when the winners are announced (voting ends when the World Series begins).  In this post, I’d like to share BBRT’s votes, as well as some background on my selections and those that were “close” to getting BBRT’s vote.  Your comments on the BBRT selections are welcomed.

STAN MUSIAL AWARD – Top Player

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Mike Trout

Mike Trout, Center Field, Los Angeles Angels

Remember this award says “best” player”, not “most valuable” player.  That said, the 22-year-old Trout wins hands down for his five-tool performance.  Trout boasted a .323 average (AL’s third-best); 190 hits (AL’s fourth-best); A league-leading 109 runs; 97 RBI (AL’s ninth-best); 27 home runs (14th in AL); 33 stolen bases (8th in AL); and a league-topping 110 walks.  Couple that with his sterling defense, and you have BBRT’s choice for the AL Stan Musial Award.  (Note: If I could change on thing about Trout, it would be to see him cut down on his strikeouts – 136 in 2013.  Imagine his numbers then.)

Mike Trout – 2013

G       AB     R        H      2B   3B    HR  RBI   Avg.   SB

157   589   109     190    39     9     27   110  .323     33

A couple of other players merited serious consideration for this recognition. You can’t ignore the Tigers’ third baseman Miguel Cabrera and his .348-44-137 follow-up to his 2012 Triple Crown. Had Miggy not been hampered by a groin injury late in the season, he might have been the first repeat Triple Crown winner.  As it is, he won his third straight batting title and earned BBRT’s respect for playing through pain.  Also near the top, but short of Trout, were the Orioles’ first sacker Chris Davis who led the league in home runs (53) and RBI (138), while hitting .286; and Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano, who played solid middle-infield defense, while chipping in .314-27-107 at the plate. Cano also was still successful on seven of eight steal attempts.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Paul Goldschmidt, First Base, Arizona Diamondbacks.

The smart money seems to be on Andrew McCutchen here, but BBRT is going with the Diamondbacks’ 26-year-old first baseman Paul Goldschmidt – for his combination of power, speed and defense.  Goldschmidt, one of MLB’s top defensive first baseman, came of age in 2013 – leading the NL in home runs (tied at 36) and RBI (125), while finishing eleventh in average at .302 – and he tossed in 15 steals.   Goldschmidt’s emergence should come as no surprise. Before a 2011 call up to the Diamondbacks, he hit .316, with 82 homers and 263 RBI in 313 minor league games (2009-11).

Paul Goldschmidt – 2013

G     AB       R    H    2B   3B   HR  RBI   Avg.   SB

160   602   103 182   36    3     36   125  .302     15

Also in the mix (BBRT was attempted to split this vote), was the Pirates’ center fielder Andrew McCutchen, the likely NL MVP winner, who brought Gold Glove caliber defense, a .317-27-84 line, and 27 steals to the Pittsburgh lineup.  Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina earns BBRT’s third spot for combining game-calling skills, a likely fifth straight Gold Glove and a .319-12-80 offensive line – despite knee and wrist injuries (catchers do take a beating).

WALTER JOHNSON AWARD – Top Starting Pitcher

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Max Scherzer

Max  Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

Being “old school,” BBRT could not ignore MLB’s only twenty-game winner.  So, my AL Walter Johnson Award vote goes to 21-3 Max Scherzer – but the 25-year-old Detroit right-hander did plenty more to win my vote.  His 2.90 ERA was fifth in the AL; his 240 strikeouts (in 214 1/3 innings – AL’s fifth-highest) were second only to K-machine Yu Darvish; he allowed hitters a league second-lowest .198 batting average against; and he was the only AL pitcher to notch a WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) of less than one (0.97).

Max Scherzer – 2013

W-L     ERA    GS  CG    ShO       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

21-3     2.90      32    0        0      214.1  152    69       56    240

Two other hurlers who garnered BBRT consideration were: Rangers’ righty Yu Darvish (13-9, 2.83 and a league-topping 277 strikeouts in 209 2/3 innings pitched); and Scherzer’s teammate, right-hander Anibel Sanchez (14-8 with a league-low 2.57 ERA and 202 whiffs in 182 innings). Three hurlers with sub 3.00 ERA, 200+ strikeouts, so twenty wins make the difference.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

First choice in the NL, not too difficult.  The 25-year-old Kershaw was once again masterful on the mound and appears headed for his second Cy Young Award (he won in 2011, finished second in 2012).  Kershaw keeps hitters off balance with a lively mid-90s (four-seam) fastball, a mid-80s slider and a curve in the low 70-mph range. The southpaw’s 16-9 record in 2013 hovers over a MLB-lowest 1.83 ERA (his third straight NL ERA crown). Kershaw also led the NL with 232 strikeouts (in 236 innings – second in the NL).  He had the second-lowest batting average against (.195) and his 0.92 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) was MLB’s lowest.  BBRT anticipates Kershaw will be in the running for the BBA Walter Johnson Award for many years to come.

Clayton Kershaw – 2013

W-L     ERA    GS  CG    ShO       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

16-9     1.83      33    3        2       236    164    48       52    232

Without a late season shutdown, the Miami Marlins’ rookie right-hander Jose Fernandez might have given Kershaw an even stronger run for the money.  As it is, Fernandez finished 12-6 on a Marlins team that lost 100 games.  His 2.19 ERA was second only to Kershaw and, at .098, he was one of only four major leaguers with a WHIP under 1.00.  Fernandez also struck out 187 hitters in 172 2/3 innings, and his .182 batting average against was the best in MLB.  Also in BBRT’s top four for the NL Walter Johnson Award were: Cardinals’ right-hander Adam Wainwright, 19-9 (NL most wins), 2.94, 219 strikeouts  (third in the NL), and a league-leading 241 2/3 innings pitched, five complete games and two shutouts; Mets’ righty Matt Harvey, who would have challenged Kershaw for BBRT’s vote (9-5, 2.27, 191 Ks in 178 1/3 innings), but for late-season arm injury;  and Phillies’ southpaw Cliff Lee, who quietly put together a 14-8 record, with a 2.87 ERA and 222 strikeouts  in 222 2/3 innings for the under-performing Phils.

WILLIE MAYS AWARD– Top Rookie

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Wil Myers

Wil Myers, Outfielder, Tampa Bay

Myers, the 2012 Minor League Player of the year (.314-37-109 in 134 games), was acquired by the Rays in the James Shields trade. The 22-year-old Myers was called up to Tampa in mid-June.  At the time, he was hitting .286-14-57 at AAA Durham – and once he joined Tampa, he got even better. Myers played in 88 games for the Rays and put up a .293-13-53 line, with 50 runs, 23 doubles and five steals – despite a bit of a slump in August.  A strong September secured BBRT’s vote.

Wil Myers – 2013

G     AB    R       H    2B   3B    HR   RBI  Avg.    SB

88    373   50     98     23    0     13    53   .293      5

Following Myers in BBRT’s consideration was his teammate, Rays’ right-handed pitcher Chris Archer (9-7, 3.22, 101 strikeouts in 128 2/3 innings pitched – including two complete-game shutouts in 22 starts).  Ranking third for BBRT was Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias (who started the year with Boston). Iglesias played highlight-reel defense and put up a .303-3-29 line in 109 games.  Iglesias, however, tailed off in the second half. He hit .330 in 63 games with the Red Sox and .259 in 46 games for the Tigers.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Jose Fernandez, Pitcher, Miami Marlins

My top rookie vote in the NL goes to Miami Marlins’ right-handed pitcher Jose Fernandez.  Let me reaffirm (and add to) what I wrote about the 21-year-old rookie in the Walter Johnson Award section.  Fernandez finished 12-6 on a Marlins team that lost 100 games.  He had the NL’s second-best ERA (2.19 ERA) and MLB’s second-best batting average against (.182).  He was also one of only four major leaguers with a WHIP under 1.00 and struck out 187 hitters in 172 2/3 innings.  If he hadn’t been shut down after passing the 170-inning mark, Fernandez might have put up even better numbers (perhaps three more starts). In his two September starts (facing the Braves and Nationals),  Fernandez went 2-0 – giving up just 6 hits, 5 walks and one run, while striking out 14 in 14 innings. Fernandez produced his 2013 record with a 93/94-mph fastball, a sharp-breaking overhand curve and a change-up that he is still      working on (imagine when he masters that pitch).

Jose Fernandez – 2013

W-L     ERA    GS  CG    ShO      IP        H     ER     BB    SO

12-6     2.19     28   0        0      172.2    111    47       58    187

Also in the running for BBRT’s NL rookie vote was Cardinals’ right-hander Shelby Miller, who put up a 15-9 record with a 3.06 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 173 1/3 innings pitched.  Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig also deserves mention. Puig played in only 63 minor league games before his June 3, 2013 call up – hitting .328-13-52 with 21 steals. His 2013 line reads .319-14-42 with 11 steals in 104 games for LA, and he played a key role in the Dodgers comeback to win the division.

GOOSE GOSSAGE AWARD – Top Relief  Pitcher

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Greg Holland

Greg Holland, Kansas City

Even though BBRT thinks it may be time to rename this the Mariano Rivera Award, I have to go with Royals right-handed closer Greg Holland as the AL’s premier reliever.  The 27-year-old Holland notched 47 saves (with two wins and a loss), with just three blown saves, in 2013. With a 95-mph fastball, a wicked bat-missing slider and an occasional splitter, Holland notched a 1.21 ERA, with 103 strikeouts in only 67 innings. For the season, left-handers hit .172 versus Holland, right-handers .168.

Greg Holland – 2013

W-L    SV    ERA   G       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

2-1     47    1.21     68     67      40      9       18     103

Close behind Holland is the Rangers’ veteran righty Joe Nathan, who went 6-2, 1.39, with 43 saves and just three blown saves.  Nathan doesn’t miss as many bats as Holland, but he still struck out better than one per inning (73 whiffs in 64 2/3 innings).  Lefties hit .171 versus Nathan and righties a miniscule .152.  Also in the mix, but trailing both Holland and Nathan, were: retiring Yankee legend, right-hander Mariano Rivera, who rode his cutter to a 6-2 record, with 44 saves and a 2.11 ERA; and Orioles’ righty Jim Johnson, who went 3-8, 2.94, with an AL-leading 50 saves. Both Rivera and Johnson dropped down due to the number of blown saves (nine for Johnson, seven for Rivera) and higher ERAs and lower strikeout rates than the top two.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves

When you look at the whole package, the 25-year-old Kimbrel had little competition for the 2013 NL Goose Gossage crown.  Kimbrel used a 96-97 mph fastball (that occasionally tops 100 mph) and a power curve to run up a 4-3 record, with an NL-leading 50 saves (only four blown saves) and a 1.21 ERA.  Kimbrel has led the NL in saves the past three years (46-42-50).  In 2013, He whiffed 98 hitters in 67 innings, with twenty walks. Overall, lefties hit .211 against him, while he dominated right-handers (.116).

Craig Kimbrel – 2013

W-L    SV    ERA   G       IP       H     ER     BB    SO

4-3      50     1.21    68     67        39      9       20    98

BBRT also considered (but it was really no contest) Reds’ lefty Aroldis Chapman, who went 4-5, 2.54 with 38 saves (versus five blown saves).  Chapman throws a fastball consistently in the high 90s (and has reached 105 mph), as well as a devastating slider.  In 2013, he struck out 112 hitters in just 63 2/3 innings (29 walks).  Lefties hit .137 against him, while right-handers averaged .172.

(BBRT obseervation – Greg and Craig – my two Goose Gossage Award voter getters – had remarkably similar stats.  Both pitched in 68 games, threw 67 innings and gave up nine earned runs for a 1.21 ERA.  Holland gave up 40 hits, one more than Kimbrel; while Kimbrel gave up 20 walks, two more than Holland.  Holland struck out 103 to Kimbrel’s 98.)

CONNIE MACK AWARD – Top Manager

AMERICAN LEAGUE

John Farrell

John Farrell – Boston Red Sox

Farrell leads a strong set of candidates for top AL manager.  Farrell took a team that finished last (under Bobby Valentine) in 2012 to the top of the AL East in 2013.  This last-to-first surge included a 28-game won-lost improvement (from 69-93 to 97-65).

Farrell also “righted” what seemed to be a sinking club house culture. In doing so, he effectively brought together a lot of new faces (Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Kuji Uehara, Stephen Drew, Ryan Dempster) with some long-time Red Sox veterans (David Ortiz, John Lester, Dustin Pedroia).

Very Simply, Farrell led a turnaround on and off the field.  That earns him BBRT’s Connie Mack Award vote.

Others in the running:  Terry Francona (led the unheralded Indians to a 24-game improvement and an AL Wild Card spot); Bob Melvin (led the A’s, with the AL’s fourth-lowest payroll, to another West Division title);  Joe Girardi (led the Yankees to an  85-77 finish, overcoming age, injuries and the A-Rod controversy). BBRT also gives a shout out to Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire.  A manager who can turn a third consecutive 90+ loss season into a two-year contract extension must be doing something right.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Don Mattingly

Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers

Okay, Mattingly did have the “horses” and the payroll, but he wins for keeping the Dodgers from disintegrating in the first half, and launching a ferocious second-half comeback.  The Dodgers were in last place in the West Division on  July 1 – and, just 80 days later, were the first MLB team to clinch a 2013 division title.  In fact, on June 21, the Dodgers were 12 games under .500 (30-42), in last place and 9 ½ back of the Diamondbacks.  Under Mattingly’s leadership, they kept grinding and went 62-28 the rest of the way.  A steady hand during a stormy first half, coupled with a dramatic comeback, wins Mattingly BBRT’s NL Connie Mack Award vote.

Also deserving recognition is Pirates’ skipper Clint Hurdle, who ended the Pittsburgh’s streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons and brought post-season baseball to Pittsburgh – and who may very well win MLB’s 2013 Manager of the Year Award.

So there are BBRT’s votes for the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA) 2013 season awards.  Watch for a link to the BBA announcement of this year’s winners once voting is complete.  And you call follow BBRT on Twitter at @DavidBBRT.  For more on the BBA, click the link on the lower right hand side of the BBRT home page.