eastbaybaseball

MVP in American League:

 Evan Longoria of the Tampa Devil Rays has been the Most Valuable Player of the Tampa Bay Rays and of the whole American League. Since he was called up in April, he has been a catalyst offensively for the Rays  and they have been consistently on a tear as they moved up to the top of the AL East and lead 2nd place Red Sox and defending World Champs by 3 games and the Yankees by 5 1/2 as of today with only less than two months to go.   Evan Longoria is only a rookie for crying out loud and an All Star to top it all of. He is most likely the favorite to win AL Rookie of the Year, however I feel that he is the MVP of the American League.  He has it all and some compare him to A-Rod, although he has a long ways to go to do what A-Rod has, but he has started off nicely to a hopeful long career and bright future.  Longoria is a stud and has been a godsend for these Rays.  His numbers are impressive: .280 Avg. 21HR 67 RBI, 27 doubles and 7 stolen bases.  He has played well defensively at the hot corner and has a .974 fielding percentage which ranks 1st of all 3rd baseman in the American League and 2nd in all of majors at 3rd base only to the Cardinals’ Troy Glaus.  Despite his good offensive numbers, his presence on the field and off the field has somewhat sparked these Rays and that is why I think he is the Most Valuable Player and stands out to me more than a B.J. Upton or Carl Crawford, who are good players but aren’t having the greatest seasons offensively despite their speed on the basepaths.   My MVP of 2008: Evan Longoria!

Apologies to: Francisco Rodriguez (Angels), Cliff Lee (Indians), Alex Rodriguez (Yankees), Carlos Quentin (White Sox) and David Ortiz (Red Sox).

MVP in National League:

 Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers standouts to me and has been the MVP of the Brew Crew and the National League. I feel that he is the sparkplug of that team, rather than a Prince Fielder who hits home runs and isn’t that great defensively and fellow All-Stars Corey Hart and Ben Sheets (10-5 record, 1-4 in past 7 starts). If Braun gets going, the whole Brewers get going offensively. He has also adjusted well in converting from third base to left field in his 2nd big league season in the majors as he was an All-star this season and started in left field for the NL team.  He is also reigning 2007 NL Rookie of the Year and is having a great season this year offensively. His numbers are ridiculous as he is hitting .297 with 29HR’s and 82RBI’s and has 28 doubles, and 9 stolen bases.  And did I say he has made no errors in left field, his first season playing there and has .1000 fielding percentage which is tied with Pat Burrell for the major league lead in that category.   Overall, Ryan Braun is the catalyst of the Brew Crew and has to continue to carry them offensively and defensively and the recent pickup, 2nd half MVP and ace C.C. Sabathia will carry them on the pitching side.  Braun, NL MVP of 2008.

Apologies to: Tim Lincecum (Giants), Edinson Volquez (Reds), Brandon Webb (D-Backs), Chase Utley (Phillies), Brian Wilson (Giants), Carlos Zambrano (Cubs) and Ryan Howard (Phillies). 

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