Baseball at the Break

Earlier this season, I made my annual picks for the 2009 MLB campaign. With a half season under my belt, I'm ready to reflect on those April picks, and spruce them up for the summer and playoff stretch.

Upon further review, I'm proud to report that my picks weren't too horrendous. I had one egregious error--picking two AL West teams to make the playoffs and failing to include a representative from the Central. A couple of my picks came through pinstriped lenses, but I'm pretty excited about the quality of my selections thus far, and excluding the Oakland A's, there are realistic scenarios for most--if not all--of my predictions to come true.

But before the pics...

Morgan's Diamond Notes

The highlight of my season thus far has to be Mariano Rivera's bases-loaded walk gifted to him by the so-called K-Rod during the Subway Series finale.


Walk this way

I also loved Nick Swisher's scoreless inning (featuring one K) of relief pitching against Tampa Bay.

Each year, Bill James names a top clutch hitter. In my wholly unscientific opinion, I imagine that Melky Cabrera is a front runner for the 2009 honors.


Mr. Clutch
AL
Yanks
Texas
Oakland
Tampa (wc)

Mid-season update: Boy, that A's pick really sucks, huh? Boston has the best record, but the Yanks and Rays are going to make things interesting. And to show how much attention I pay to baseball, Texas is in the AL West (but in the hunt!) I meant to pick Detroit in the Central :)

NL
Mets
Cubs
Dodgers
Marlins(wc)

Mid-season update: You can't hold me responsible for the Mets injuries, ok? The Dodgers are in great shape. The Cubs and Marlins may make me look like a genius if the Cards and Giants falter.

Yanks over Detroit
Tampa over Texas
Yanks over Tampa

Dodgers over Mets
Cubs over Fla
Cubs over Dodgers

Yanks over Cubs

Mid-season update: I should probably replace the Dodgers with the Cubbies. Otherwise, my blind love of all things pinstripes has me hoping for some October/November baseball in the Bronx.

AL ROY
David Price
Runner up: Matt Weiters

Mid-season update: I think Weiters will come into his own over the second half, but Rick Porcello looks like a stud.

NL ROY
Emilio Bonifacio

Mid-season update: I got sucked in by Bonifacio's fast start got me excited, but I think I like St. Louis' Colby Rasmus, who can flat out ball.

AL Cy Young
Mariano Rivera
Runner up: Nick Swisher

Mid-season update: Maybe Halladay will end up in the NL. If the Yanks make the playoffs, and Mo keeps the ball in the yard during the second half, Mr. Reliable might nab his first Cy Young. Swisher's still got great numbers though.

NL Cy Young
Josh Johnson

Mid-season update: Lincecum got the ASG start, Johnson has established himself as a top-tier starter in the NL. If the Fish make a second half push and knock off the Mets/Phils or both, Johnson will be well positioned to nab the Cy.

AL Manager of the Year
Joe Girardi

Mid-season update: Almost there, Girardi. Although even with the best record in baseball, it will be tough for the Yankees skipper to take home the prize.

NL Manager of the Year
Joe Torre

Mid-season update: I like this pick.

AL MVP
Evan Longoria

Mid-season update: He's been hurt a bunch, but was an All-Star starter, and the heir apparent as the next big thing in the AL. I'll stick with it.


The Greatest?

NL MVP
David Wright

Mid-season update: If Pujols doesn't win this, I'll be a monkey's uncle.