Wednesday's Thoughts

First-Half Awards (Part 2): National League

As I said yesterday, here are my NL first-half award winners.

National League Cy Young

Player: Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres

Position: Pitcher

Throws: Right

Bats: Right

Age: 26

Season: 9-3, 2.19 ERA, 125 K, 34 BB, 119 IP, 29 ER, 18 G/GS

With 9 wins, an ERA of 2.19, and 125 K’s it’s no wonder why Jake Peavy is the NL Cy Young winner for the first half. He’s on pace to have a phenomenal year and with him playing in pitcher-friendly Petco Park. He and teammate Chris Young are both at the top of the list for Cy Young. Jake Peavy has been the better of the two, but Young could give him a run for his money in the second half.
Runner Up: Chris Young
End of season prediction: Jake Peavy

National League Rookie of the Year

Player: Hunter Pence, Houston Astros

Position: Center Field

Throws: Right

Bats: Right

Age: 24

Season: .342 avg., 11 HR, 42 RBI, .367 OBP, .589 SLG%

Hunter Pence came up to the Astro’s on April 28th, and has provided a spark both with his bat where he’s hit for power and average but on defense where he’s made web gem after web gem. He’s definitely becoming one of the top young CF’ers in the game and based on the fact that he’s played almost an entire month longer than Milwaukee 3rd baseman, Ryan Braun, he’s the first half NL Rookie of the Year.
Runner Up: Ryan Braun
End of season prediction: Ryan Braun

National League Most Valuable Player

Player: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

Position: First Base

Throws: Right

Bats: Left

Age: 23

Season: .284 avg., 29 HR, 70 RBI, .376 OBP, .620 SLG%

Prince Fielder has had a first half to remember this season. He has already surpassed his HR total from 2006 (2007: 29) and he’s just 10 RBI’s less than he did last season. He has helped turn the Brewers into one of the best teams in the majors, due in large part to his extreme power, which can turn the course of the game in just one swing of the bat. He’s been unreal so far, and I suspect that he doesn’t lose pace in the 2nd half.
Runner Up: Matt Holliday
End of season prediction: Chase Utley

Minor League Notes

Rochester Red Wings

No Game Scheduled.

New Britain Rock Cats

No Game Scheduled.

Ft. Myers Miracle

No Game Scheduled.

Beloit Snappers

No Game Scheduled.

GCL Twins beat the GCL Pirates, 4-3.

Winner: Jarrad Eacott (1-0, 0.71)

Loser: Malvin Vasquez (0-1, 5.17)

Save: Danny Rondon (4)

Notes: Jeanfred Brito lead the Twins with 2 hits, and 2 runs. Alex Soto hit his 1st home run of the season in the win on Tuesday. Juan Richardson drove in his 9th RBI. Tom Wright pitched 3 scorless innings to start the game and recorded 5 strikeouts.

Elizabethton Twins beat Greenville Astros, 7-2.

Winner: Mike Allen (2-0, 1.50)

Loser: Antonio Noguera (1-3, 4.42)

Notes: Rene Revertt drove in 2 runs on Tuesday. Starling De Los Santos continued his solid bat going 2-5 with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored and an RBI. Ben Petsch had 2 hits a run scored and a run batted in. Mike Allen pitched a solid game going 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 6.