With the 54th game coming up on Friday, the guys over at The Bronx Block handed out the "first trimester awards" for the Yankees. Here are my picks:
MVP- Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is notoriously a slow starter, but this has not been the case in 2008. He has recorded thirteen saves through the first third of the year, and his 0.39 ERA is just absurd. In 23 innings, he has surrendered just twelve baserunners for a WHIP of 0.52. Batters are hitting just .150 against him. In my eyes, this was a fairly simple selection. Runner up: Chien-Ming Wang
Offensive Player of the Year- Hideki Matsui
Matsui doesn't have the home runs that Jason Giambi has, but he is certainly the best overall offensive player on the team so far. His .330 average is tops on the team (Jorge Posada, at .302, is the only other player with an average above .300), and his 30 runs scored is second only to Johnny Damon. It seems with the early offensive struggles, Hideki Matsui has been the one constant in the lineup, and so in my eyes, he is the offensive player of the year at this point. Runner up: Jason Giambi
Rookie of the Year- Joba Chamberlain
Joba began the year with the 8th inning role, and like last year, he thrived. He is 1-2 on the year with a 2.28 ERA. His 30 strikeouts in 23.2 innings is the best ratio on the team, and his 1.14 WHIP is second only to Mo. If he continues his dominance in the rotation, he may become a leading contender for the American League Rookie of the Year. Runner up: Darrell Rasner
Starting Pitcher of the Year- Chien-Ming Wang
Chien-Ming Wang came out of the gate as hot as anyone, winning his first six decisions with masterful stuff. Though he has struggled his last few starts, bringing his record to 6-2 and a 3.82 ERA, Wang has easily been the best starter on the team through May. He has emerged as the ace of the staff, and at the end of the year, his numbers are going to be up there with the best of them. Runner up: Mike Mussina
Surprise of the Year- Darrell Rasner
Darrell Rasner was called up a few weeks ago to fill in for the injured Phil Hughes. He was expected to make a start or two and then be placed back in the minors. However, through four starts, Rasner is 3-1 with an ERA of just 1.80, and he is making a strong case to remain in the rotation throughout the rest of the year. His stuff isn't overpowering by any stretch of the imagination, but he is locating his pitches well and getting hitters out. Runner up: Edwar Ramirez
Biggest Disappointment- Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy
Hughes and Kennedy were supposed to be the number 3 and 4 starters for the team entering the season, yet neither has recorded a win through the first one-third of the year. Hughes, now injured, started off strong but then faded- through six starts, he was 0-4 with an ERA of 9.00. Kennedy, who recently returned from an injury only to be placed back on the D.L., has started eight games and is 0-3 with a 7.41 ERA. Hopefully, when they return from their injuries, they will get back on track to where they should be as starters. Runner up: Robinson Cano
The Yankees, overall, are 26-27, which is mediocre at best. I'd be lying is I said the season hasn't been a disappointment so far. Still, there are two-thirds of the season left to catch the Rays and Sox.