Baseball Award Winners- Halfway Through

We are nearing the halfway point of the 2011 MLB season, there are clearly some teams who have been able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. But now I focus on the individuals who have out-performed everyone else:

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez (BOS)

Reason: Gonzalez leads the AL in two of the three major batting categories and is a serious triple crown threat and has been a big reason for the Red Sox success.

NL MVP: Prince Fielder (MIL)

Reason:Fielder is 2nd in the NL with 21 homers and 1st with 68 RBIs, Fielder is also batting .306 which isn't bad either, Fielder and Ryan Braun have been key players for the Brewers this season, as Prince looks to continue his great season.

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (DET)

Reason: Well for starters, the guy threw a no-hitter, that alone puts you in the conversation, however Verlander has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the American League, having tied for the most wins in the majors, Verlander is also 3rd in ERA and is tied for 2nd with Felix Hernandez , last year's AL Cy Young, in strikeouts

NL Cy Young: Jair Jurrjens (ATL)

Reason: Tough call here between Jurrjens and last year's NL Cy Young, Roy Halladay. Both have 10 wins, tied for the NL lead. The difference is Jurrjens's ERA is the 2nd lowest in all of baseball, next to Jered Weaver. Also it only took Jurrjens 14 starts to get to 10 wins, while it took Halladay 17 starts.

AL Manager of the Year: Terry Francona (BOS)

Reason: After a dreadful start to their season, the Boston Red Sox have been one of the better teams in baseball. Compiling a record of 45-34 and being considered as one of the major World Series contenders in the American League.

NL Manager of the Year: Kirk Gibson (ARZ)

Reason: Last year the Diamondbacks ended up with the 3rd worst record in the majors. This year, they have continued to go back and forth with the San Francisco Giants, the defending World Series Champions, for the lead in the NL West. If Gibson can continue to have his club playing well, then the D-Backs are serious playoff contenders.

Written: June 29th, 2011