Recap of the 2012 MLB Awards

The MLB Awards are announced after the MLB Postseason. They were announced the past 2 weeks and the last one of announced on Thursday. I will go through each award and say what I think. I will talk about the MVPs, Cy Youngs, Rookie of the Years, Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers.

NL MVP: The NL MVP was won by Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants. He helped his team win the NL West and win the 2012 World Series. Posey received 20 of the 32 first place votes and 422 points. Ryan Braun, Andrew McCutchen, Yadier Molina and Chase Headley finished 2nd-5th. Posey's season was even more incredible after missing a lot of the season with an injury. Posey hit .336 with 24 home runs, 103 RBIs. He won the NL Batting Title and has led the NL in WAR at 7.2. I definitely agree with this award choice. 

AL MVP: The AL MVP was won by Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. He helped his team win the AL Central and make it to the World Series. Verlander received 22 of the 28 first place votes and 362 points. This is the first time since 1998 and 1999 that two players from the same team won back to back MVPs. Justin Verlander won the AL MVP last season. Cabrera won the AL Batting Triple Crown. He became the first Batting Triple Crown since 1967. Cabrera led the AL in batting average at .330, home runs at 44 and RBIs at 139. Mike Trout, Adrian Beltre, Robinson Cano, Josh Hamilton came in 2nd-5th. I thought that Mike Trout would win but I see why Cabrera won. This was a battle of new stats vs. old stats. Mike Trout led the MLB in WAR at 10.2 and Cabrera was 3rd in the AL at 6.9. I believe that Cabrera because he won the Batting Triple Crown which hadn't been done in 45 years.

NL Cy Young: The NL Cy Young was won by R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets. Dickey received 27 of the 32 first place votes and 209 points. He is the first Met since 1985 to win NL Cy Young. Dickey was 2nd in the NL with 20 wins, 1st in the NL with 230 strikeouts and 2nd in ERA at 2.70. He was 3rd in WHIP at 1.05 and in WAR (among pitchers) at 5.4. Clayton Kershaw, Gio Gonzalez, Johnny Cueto, Craig Kimbrel finished 2nd-5th. What made Dickey winning this award more special them some his he his a knuckle ball pitcher and it is extremely hard to master the knuckle ball like Dickey did this season. I agree with this award choice. 

AL Cy Young: The AL Cy Young was won by David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. He helped his team win 90 games. Price received 14 of the 28 first place votes and 153 points. Price was tied for 1st in the AL in wins with 20, 1st in ERA at 2.56 and 6th in strikeouts with 205. Price was 2nd in WAR among AL pitchers at 6.4 and 4th in WHIP at 1.10. Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Felix Hernandez, and Fernando Rodney placed 2nd-5th. I thought Justin Verlander would win the award but the choice of David Price was not a bad choice. David Price became the first Tampa Bay Ray to win the Cy Young Award.

NL Rookie of the Year: The NL Rookie of the Year was won by Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals. Harper received 16 of the 32 first place votes and 112 points. Harper had 22 home runs, 59 RBIs and hit for a .270 average. He became the first player from the Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals franchise to win the Rookie of the Year since Andrew Dawson in 1977. He also stole 18 bases and had 5.0 WAR. Wade Miley came in 2nd and Todd Frazier came in 3rd. Harper was the #1 pick in the 2010 Draft. He helped the Nationals win 98 games and win the NL East. He has shown great potential since he was only 19 for most of the season. He should help the Nationals win for many years to come. 

AL Rookie of the Year: The AL Rookie of the Year was won by Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. Trout received 28 of the 28 first place votes and 140 points. Yoenis Cespedes and Yu Darvish came in 2nd and 3rd. Mike Trout probably had the greatest rookie season of all-time. He finished 2nd in the AL MVP award. He was 2nd in the AL with a .326 BA, tied for 13th with 30 home runs, 1st with 49 stolen bases and first in WAR at 10.7. I expect that Mike Trout should be one of the best players in the MLB over the next 15-20 years. He became the first Angel to win the award since 1993.

NL Silver Sluggers:

C: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants:

Buster Posey won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Posey ended the season with a .336 batting average (1st in the NL), 24 home runs (2nd among NL cacthers), 103 RBIs (6th in the NL). His WAR was 7.2 (1st in the NL) and his OPS was .957 (2nd in the NL). He also won the NL MVP award. I completely agree with the award choice.

1B: Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals:

Adam LaRoche won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. LaRoche ended the season with a .271 batting average (5th among NL first basemen), 33 home runs (4th in the NL), 100 RBIs (8th in the NL). His WAR was 7.2 (2nd among NL first basemen) and his OPS was .853 (13th in the NL). I agree with the award choice.

2B: Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks:

Aaron Hill won the Silver Sluggers award for the 2nd time. Hill ended the season with a .302 batting average (10 in the NL), 26 home runs (1st among NL second basemen), 85 RBIs (1st among NL second basemen). His WAR was 7.2 (2nd among NL second basemen) and his OPS was .882 (6th in the NL). I completely agree with the award choice.

3B: Chase Headley, San Diego Padres:  

Chase Headley won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Headley ended the season with a .286 batting average (5th among NL third basemen), 31 home runs (tied for 8th in the NL), 115 RBIs (1st in the NL). His WAR was 6.0 (6th in the NL) and his OPS was .875 (10th in the NL). He also stole 17 bases (2nd among NL third basemen). He finished 5th in the NL MVP. I agree with the award choice.

SS: Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals:

Ian Desmond won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Desmond ended the season with a .292 batting average (1st among NL shortstops), 25 home runs (1st among NL shortstops), 73 RBIs (2nd among NL shortstops). His WAR was 3.2 (2nd among NL shortstops) and his OPS was .845 (15th in the NL). He also stole 21 bases (6th among NL shortstops). I agree with the award choice.

OF: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers:  

Ryan Braun won the Silver Sluggers award for the 5th consecutive time. Braun ended the season with a .319 batting average (3rd in the NL), 41 home runs (1st in the NL), 112 RBIs (2nd in the NL). His WAR was 6.8 (3rd in the NL) and his OPS was .987 (1st in the NL). He also stole 30 bases (tied for 9th in the NL). He finished 2nd in the NL MVP award. I completely agree with the award choice.

OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates: 

Andrew McCutchen won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. McCutchen ended the season with a .327 batting average (2nd in the NL), 31 home runs (tied for 8th in the NL), 96 RBIs (11th in the NL). His WAR was 7.0 (2nd in the NL) and his OPS was .953 (3rd in the NL). He also stole 20 bases (tied for 9th among NL center fielders). He finished 3rd in the NL MVP award. I completely agree with the award choice.

OF: Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds:

Jay Bruce won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Bruce ended the season with a .252 batting average (8th among NL right fielders), 34 home runs (3rd in the NL), 99 RBIs (9th in the NL). His WAR was 1.2 (12th among NL right fielders) and his OPS was .841 (2nd among NL right fielders). I disagree with the award choice. I thought Carlos Beltran because he had a higher BA, OPS and WAR than Jay Bruce did. 

P: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals:

Stephen Strasburg won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Strasburg ended the season with a .277 batting average, 1 homerun and 7 RBIs. His OPS was .759 for the season and he also had 4 doubles. I agree with the award choice.

AL Silver Sluggers:

C: A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox: 

A.J. Pierzynski won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Pierzynski ended the season with a .278 batting average (2nd among AL catchers), 27 home runs (1st among AL catchers), 77 RBIs (3rd among AL catchers). His WAR was 2.6 (6th among AL catchers) and his OPS was .827 (2nd among AL catchers). I agree with the award choice.

1B: Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers: 

Prince Fielder won the Silver Sluggers award for the 3rd time. Fielder ended the season with a .313 batting average (6th in the AL), 30 home runs (tied for 13th in the AL), 108 RBIs (5th in the AL). His WAR was 4.5 (tied for 12th in the AL) and his OPS was .940 (4th in the AL). I agree with the award choice.

2B: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees:

Robinson Cano won the Silver Sluggers award for the 3rd time. Cano ended the season with a .313 batting average (9th in the AL), 33 home runs (tied for 8th in the AL), 94 RBIs (12th in the AL). His WAR was 8.2 (2nd in the AL) and his OPS was .929 (6th in the AL). He also finished 4th in the AL MVP. I completely agree with the award choice. 

3B: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers: 

Miguel Cabrera won the Silver Sluggers award for the 4th time. Cabrera ended the season with a .330 batting average (1st in the AL), 44 home runs (1st in the AL), 139 RBIs (1st in the AL). His WAR was 6.9 (3rd in the AL) and his OPS was .999 (1st in the AL). He also won the AL MVP and the AL Batting Triple Crown. I completely agree with the award choice. 

SS: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees:

Derek Jeter won the Silver Sluggers award for the 5th time. Jeter ended the season with a .316 batting average (5th in the AL), 15 home runs (3rd among AL shortstops), 58 RBIs (7th among AL shortstops). His WAR was 2.1 (9th among AL shortstops) and his OPS was .791 (1st among AL shortstops). I agree with the award choice.

OF: Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins:

Josh Willingham won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Willington ended the season with a .260 batting average (5th among AL left fielders), 35 home runs (7th in the AL), 110 RBIs (tied for 3rd in the AL). His WAR was 2.9 (5th among AL left fielders) and his OPS was .890 (8th in the AL). I agree with the award choice. 

OF: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels:

Mike Trout won the Silver Sluggers award for the 1st time. Trout ended the season with a .326 batting average (2nd in the AL), 30 home runs (tied for 13th in the AL), 83 RBIs (3rd among AL center fielders). His WAR was 10.7 (1st in the AL) and his OPS was .963 (2nd in the AL). He also stole 49 bases (1st in the AL). He finished 2nd in the AL MVP. I completely agree with the award choice. 

OF: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers:

Josh Hamiltion won the Silver Sluggers award for the 3rd time. Hamilton ended the season with a .285 batting average (11th among AL outfielders), 43 home runs (2nd in the AL), 128 RBIs (2nd in the AL). His WAR was 3.3 (12th among  AL outfielders) and his OPS was .930 (5thin the AL). He also finished 5th in the AL MVP. I completely agree with the award choice. 

DH: Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals:

Billy Butler won the Silver Sluggers award for the 5th time. Butler ended the season with a .313 batting average (8th in the AL), 29 home runs (3rd among AL designated hitters), 107 RBIs (6th among AL designated hitters). His WAR was 2.9 (tied for 1st among AL  designated hitters) and his OPS was .882 (9th in the AL). I agree with the award choice.

NL Gold Gloves:

C: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals:

Yadier Molina won the Golden Glove award for the 5th consecutive time. Molina ended the season a field percentage of .997 (2nd among NL catchers), his range factor was 8.14 (5th among NL catchers) and his caught stealing percent was .479 (2nd among NL catchers). I completely agree with the award choice.

1B: Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals:

Adam LaRoche won the Golden Glove award for the 1st time. LaRoche ended the season a field percentage of .995 (2nd among NL first basemen), his range factor was 9.25 (5th among NL first basemen) and his UZR was 6.1 (2nd among NL first basemen).  I agree with the award choice.

2B: Darwin Barney, Chicago Cubs:

Darwin Barney won the Golden Glove award for the 1st time. Barney ended the season a field percentage of .997 (1st among NL second basemen), his range factor was 5.16 (1st among NL second basemen) and his UZR was 13.1 (1st among NL second basemen).  I completely agree with the award choice.

3B: Chase Headley, San Diego Padres:

Chase Headley won the Golden Glove award for the 1st time. Headley ended the season a field percentage of .976 (2nd among NL third basemen), his range factor was 2.67 (1st among NL third basemen) and his UZR was 6.0 (3rd among NL third basemen).  I disagree with the award choice. I believe that David Wright should have won this award. Wright's UZR was 15.4 much better than Headley's 6.0.

SS: Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies:

Jimmy Rollins won the Golden Glove award for the 4th time. Rollins ended the season a field percentage of .978 (1st among NL shortstops), his range factor was 3.83 (9th among NL shortstops) and his UZR was 4.4 (5th among NL shortstops).  I disagree with the award choice. I believe that Brandon Crawford should have won this award. Crawford had a better UZR and range factor than Rollins did. 

LF: Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Gonzalez:

Carlos Gonzalez won the Golden Glove award for the 2nd time. Gonzalez ended the season a field percentage of .982 (6th among NL left fielders), his range factor was 1.71 (5th among NL left fielders) and his UZR was -8.5 (7th among NL left fielders).  I completely disagree with the award choice. I believe that Alfonso Soriano should have won this award. Crawford led the NL in all three stats I listed. The first example of how being a good hitter can win you a Gold Glove.

CF: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates:

Andrew McCutchen won the Golden Glove award for the 1st time. McCutchen ended the season a field percentage of .997 (2nd among NL center fielders), his range factor was 2.44 (7th among NL center fielders) and his UZR was -6.9 (9th among NL center fielders).  I completely disagree with the award choice. I believe that Michael Bourn should have won this award. Bourn had an amazing UZR had 22.4 and also had a better range factor than McCutchen. The second example of how being a good hitter can win you a Gold Glove.

RF: Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves:

Jason Heyward won the Golden Glove award for the 1st time. Heyward ended the season a field percentage of .986 (3rd among NL right fielders), his range factor was 2.30 (1st among NL right fielders) and his UZR was 22.9 (1st among NL right fielders). I completely agree with the award choice.

P: Mark Buehrle, Miami Marlins:

Mark Buehrle won the Golden Glove award for the 4th consecutive time. Buehrle ended the season a field percentage of 1.000 (tied for 1st among NL pitchers), his range factor was 2.67 (4th among NL pitchers) and his DRS was +12 (1st among NL pitchers). I completely agree with the award choice.

AL Gold Gloves:

C: Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles:

Matt Wieters won the Golden Glove award for the 2nd time. Wieters ended the season a field percentage of .991 (4th among AL catchers), his range factor was 7.92 (4th among AL catchers) and his caught stealing percent was .386 (1st among AL catchers). I completely agree with the award choice.

1B: Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees: 

Mark Teixeira won the Golden Glove award for the 5th time. Teixeira ended the season a field percentage of .999 (1st among AL first basemen), his range factor was 9.19 (5th among AL first basemen) and his UZR was 10.5 (2nd among AL first basemen).  I agree with the award choice.   

2B: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees: 

Robinson Cano won the Golden Glove award for the 2nd time. Cano ended the season a field percentage of .992 (2nd among AL second basemen), his range factor was 4.82 (2nd among AL second basemen) and his UZR was 9.7 (2nd among AL second basemen).  I agree with the award choice. 

3B: Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers:

Adrian Beltre won the Golden Glove award for the 4th time. Beltre ended the season a field percentage of .974 (1st among AL third basemen), his range factor was 2.43 (5th among AL third basemen) and his UZR was 10.7 (2nd among AL third basemen).  I agree with the award choice. 

SS: J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles:

J.J. Hardy won the Golden Glove award for the 1st time. Hardy ended the season a field percentage of .992 (1st among AL shortstops), his range factor was 4.83 (2nd among AL shortstops) and his UZR was 11.4 (2nd among NL shortstops).  I disagree with the award choice. I believe that Brendon Ryan should have won this award. Ryan had a better UZR but both were very good this year.

LF: Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals: 

Alex Gordon won the Golden Glove award for the 2nd consecutive time. Gordon ended the season a field percentage of .994 (3rd among AL left fielders), his range factor was 2.12 (2nd among AL left fielders) and his UZR was 14.1 (1st among NL right fielders). I completely agree with the award choice.

CF: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles:

Adam Jones won the Golden Glove award for the 2nd time. Hardy ended the season a field percentage of .982 (10th among AL center fielders), his range factor was 2.75 (2nd among AL center fielders) and his UZR was -6.7 (8th among AL left fielders).  I completely disagree with the award choice. I believe that Mike Trout should have won this award. Trout led the AL in UZR and hade a better fielding percentage. I have no idea how Jones won this award over Trout.

RF: Josh Reddick, Oakland A's:

Josh Reddick won the Golden Glove award for the 1st time. Reddick ended the season a field percentage of .983 (8th among AL right fielders), his range factor was 2.20 (2nd among AL right fielders) and his UZR was 17.7 (1st among AL right fielders). I completely agree with the award choice.

P: Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays & Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox:

Jeremy Hellickson won the Golden Glove award for the 1st consecutive time. Hellickson ended the season a field percentage of .950 (22nd among AL pitchers), his range factor was 1.93 (7th among AL pitchers) and his DRS was +2 (tied for 14th among AL pitchers). 

Jake Peavy won the Golden Glove award for the 4th consecutive time. Peavy ended the season a field percentage of .973 (tied for 11th among AL pitchers), his range factor was 1.48 (23rd among AL pitchers) and his DRS was +4 (5th among AL pitchers).

I disagree with the award choice. I don't understand how two players won this award. I also thought Rickey Romero would led the AL among pitchers in DRS at +6 and was 6th in range factor at 1.94 should have won the award.