AL MVP
Justin Morneau, Twins (.316, 23 HR, 78 RBI)
Carl Crawford and his 47 stolen bases may be the trendy pick among media outlets, but Morneau has quietly become one of the most consistent run producers in the league. Rock steady defense completes the package for the line drive-hitting first baseman, a combination that gives him the nod over the speedy Crawford.
Key Stat: Boasts a fielding percentage of .999 on the season while playing half his games on the volatile Metrodome turf.
NL MVP
Albert Pujols, Cardinals (.332, 34 HR, 90 RBI)
Pujols has been in a league of his own this season, slugging an astonishing .720 while maintaining a .332 average. What makes the triple crown candidate's season all the more impressive is that he is "protected" by Ryan Ludwick and Mark DeRosa in the lineup.
Key Stat: 74:38 walk to strikeout ratio is head and shoulders above the rest of the league.
AL Cy Young
Zack Greinke, Royals (10-5, 2.08 ERA, 136 K)
Greinke has emerged from a muddled past to dazzle American league hitters in every imaginable category. His five April starts thrust him into the spotlight after he posted a 5-0 record and a 0.5 ERA, striking out 44 batters in 36 innings of work.
Key Stat: Turned in a ML high five complete games over the first half of the season, saving the team from a bullpen that has posted a 4.89 ERA and converted only 17 of 32 save opportunities.
NL Cy Young
Tim Lincecum, Giants (10-2, 2.27 ERA, 169 K)
The NL's All-Star game starter continues to dominate with his unorthodox delivery, and this year he appears poised to repeat as Cy Young winner. The 5' 11'' hurler leads the league in strikeouts while yielding a stingy 2.27 ERA for the upstart Giants, who are among the Wild Card favorites in the NL.
Key Stat: Has been equally baffling to righties and lefties alike, allowing batting averages of .217 and .211 respectively.
AL Breakout Player of the Half
Aaron Hill, Blue Jays (.286, 20 HR, 60 RBI)
Hill earned his first career All-Star invitation for his work as the hot-hitting Blue Jays' no. 2 hitter. His average is hovering near his career mark, but he has reached a new level of power this season, slugging more homers in the first three months of 2009 (19) than his previous career high (17).
Key Stat: The ultra-durable Hill leads the majors with 406 at-bats.
NL Breakout Player of the Half
Pablo Sandoval, Giants (.326, 15 HR, 56 RBI)
The rotund 22-year old slugger has provided the Giants with some much needed pop in the lineup, and has given manager Bruce Bochy flexibility in the field. Playing catcher, first base, and third base, Sandoval has proven to be the player that preseason pundits were raving about. Would be front runner for Rookie of the Year award but was 15 at bats over the ML limit of 130 last season, making him ineligible for the award.
Key Stat: Three triples and four stolen bases seem like pedestrian stats, but they are a considerable accomplishment for the Prince Fielder-esque Sandoval, who weighs in at 5'11'' 246 pounds.
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