Welcome to a slightly amended version of the 2015 DTBL Awards Outlook. So as to differentiate the numbers and players I’m examining with what Kevin is doing, there will be three Awards Outlook articles this season. This is the first; the second will follow at the All Star break, with the third at Labor Day. These seem like reasonable benchmarks for the baseball season, landing on big holidays and milestones rather than doing it monthly. Plus, this will allow Kevin to focus more on monthly aspects with his postings.
That being said, these articles will focus on three things. First, in a new addition, I’ll be listing the individual category leaders in all the hitting and pitching categories. In this way, we can better track who’s been on point for an entire season, or if they’re more of a flash in the pan. Second, I’ll be visiting the awards categories in the same fashion as last year, but instead of a top 5 ballot style listing, this year will focus only on the top two for each category. Honorable mentions will go to players who are on the cusp, but can only knock on the door of being truly elite. PAR and ESPN’s player rater will be relied upon as main benchmarks to set the awards leaders.
Here are the DTBL category leaders through Memorial Day, 2015.
- Batting Average: Dee Gordon, Gators – .376
- Home Runs: Nelson Cruz, Gators – 17
- Runs Batted In: Bryce Harper, Darkhorses – 41
- Runs Scored: Bryce Harper, Darkhorses – 39
- Stolen Bases: Dee Gordon, Gators – 17
- Earned Run Average: Zack Greinke, Moonshiners – 1.48
- WHIP Ratio: Zack Greinke, Moonshiners – .869
- Wins: Felix Hernandez, Moonshiners – 7
- Saves: Glen Perkins, Naturals – 16
- Strikeouts: Corey Klueber, Demigods – 83
Rookie of the Year:
- Dallas Keuchel, Starting Pitcher, Moonshiners – .947 WHIP, 1.78 ERA, 5 W, 0 Sv, 39 Ks, 3.2 PAR
- Jacob DeGrom, Starting Pitcher, Darkhorses – 1.114 WHIP, 2.75 ERA, 5 W, 0 Sv, 54Ks, 2.7 PAR
Unlike last year, this year’s rookie crop doesn’t seem to be quite as strong overall. Rookie pitchers definitely have an edge in this category over hitters, however, as exemplified by Dallas Keuchel and Jacob DeGrom. DeGrom was a high draft pick, taken by the Darkhorses in the second round. His stellar numbers were to be expected, and he is certainly not disappointing. He adds another fine young arm to Darkhorses growing stable of them. Keuchel, on the other hand, went undrafted. He was the subject of a fierce free agent bidding battle after the first week of the season, and he has not disappointed the Moonshiners since, spinning a 9th overall pitching PAR after missing two starts during his time as a free agent. He has settled in nicely as a very worthy third starter on the Moonshiners staff.
Apologies go to Jake Arrieta of the Jackalope, Dellin Betances of the Mavericks, Marcus Semien of the Gators, and Brad Boxberger of the Darkhorses.
Cy Young:
- Max Scherzer, Starting Pitcher, Kings – .881 WHIP, 1.67 ERA, 5 W, 0 Sv, 72 Ks, 4.7 PAR
- Felix Hernandez, Starting Pitcher, Moonshiners – .941 WHIP, 2.19 ERA, 7 W, 0 Sv, 63Ks, 4.6 PAR
Cy Young is an extremely tight category at the top. There’s separation between these two pitchers and the rest of the field, but very little separates Max Scherzer and Felix Hernandez. King Felix has been everything the Moonshiners could ask for after a draft day trade, combining his usually stellar ratios with wins, unlike in seasons past. He looks to maintain his place as the ace of a revamped Moonshiners staff for years to come. Meanwhile Scherzer has rebounded from a “slow” start to the season, where a lack of run support led to some hard luck losses. However, a move to the National League has worked wonders for his overall numbers, as the usual filthy strikeout numbers are now combined with ridiculous ratios. This race will be one to watch for the entire season.
Apologies go to Zack Greinke of the Moonshiners, Sonny Gray of the Jackalope, and Shelby Miller of the Kings.
Most Valuable Player
- Bryce Harper, Outfielder, Darkhorses – .333 Avg, 39 R, 16 HR, 41 RBI, 2 SB, 3.7 PAR
- Paul Goldschmidt, First Baseman, Jackalope – .333 Avg, 34 R, 12 HR, 38 RBI, 8 SB, 3.6 PAR
MVP may be an even tighter category between first and second place than even Cy Young. Bryce Harper and Paul Goldschmidt do it all. Goldschmidt provides a great blend of power (12 homers), speed (8 steals) and high average. His continued journey into baseball’s elite is certainly a reason why the Jackalope felt comfortable parting with long time stalwart Albert Pujols during the draft. Harper is finally tapping into his vast talent, playing at a level that finally meets the hype and Sports Illustrated covers. He leads DTBL in runs and RBI, is one short in the home run category, and is also providing elite average. Both players provide numbers that can carry any offense, have the Jackalope and Darkhorses sitting at the top of the DTBL standings, and can keep them there throughout the season. Definitely the elite production that teams are looking for out of their superstars.
Apologies go to Nelson Cruz of the Gators, Justin Upton of the Naturals, and Mike Trout of the Mavericks.