2017 MLB Awards

Source: www.southsidesox.com --- Sunday, October 01, 2017
Both the American and National League didn’t make it easy picking Most Valuable Players. My second MLB awards ballot as a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America was a lot harder to figure out than last year. In 2016 we had a healthier Mike Trout to slam dunk the competition on AL MVP voting and Kris Bryant leading the Cubs to their first World Series title. This season the races are so tight, and when it comes to picking an MVP, I don't think there is a wrong choice unless you choose Albert Pujols (-1.8 fWAR). Here are my award winners and who I slotted after them. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports AL MVP: Jose Altuve If the Angels had made the playoffs, I would have picked Mike Trout. Instead, I'm choosing the all-around play of Jose Altuve over Aaron Judge . What is so impressive with Altuve is that despite his small frame he hits for a lot of power. Two straight seasons with 20-plus home runs to go along with his excellent contact, 30-plus steals a year and keeping his strikes out to a minimum (12.7 K%). If the game is on the line, I would rather see the White Sox face Aaron Judge over Jose Altuve. For a race that could be decided by a coin flip, that gut reaction is why Altuve gets my top vote. 2. Aaron Judge 3. Mike Trout 4. Jose Ramirez 5. Francisco Lindor 6. Andrelton Simmons 7. Mookie Betts 8. Gary Sanchez 9. George Springer 10. Elvis Andrus Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports NL MVP: Anthony Rendon If th ...

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