Breaking down the Yankees’ midseason award winners

With the Yankees just past the midway point of their season, I decided to take a look at how everyone is performing and award the players worthy of each specific category. I asked our followers on Twitter to also weigh in, and they were in agreement with me on almost each category. If you haven't had a chance to weigh in, be sure to follow us on Twitter by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

Photo Credit: AP

MVP: Aaron Judge

To many he should have been the MVP of the AL in 2017, but batting average enthusiasts awarded the accolade to Jose Altuve of the Astros. Missing out on the award has not stopped Judge from putting himself back into the conversation in 2018. Judge is fifth in the American League in WAR among position players with a 4.8 mark, which has him potentially surpassing his total from 2017. Judge has a .960 OPS, six stolen bases, and has been rated as a well above average defender this season. Judge has had his moments where he struck out a handful of times per game and was painful to watch, but he has been the team’s most consistent all-around performer this season and continues to be one of the best players in the sport.

Runner Up: Gleyber Torres

CY Young: Luis Severino

The unquestioned ace of the pitching staff, Severino has produced all the Yankees could have asked out of him this season and more. Severino is not only the Yankees’ CY Young at this point in the season, but he also would be the frontrunner to win the award for the AL if the season ended today. Severino’s numbers speak for themselves as he is 13-2 with a 1.98 ERA and a 138:9 K:BB. He is second in the AL for WAR amongst pitchers. For a pitching rotation that has been shaky this season, Severino has been consistently dominant.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Runner Up: CC Sabtathia

ROY: Gleyber Torres

The Yankees moved on from Tyler Wade after he struggled once again in an extended major league opportunity and decided it was time to let Gleyber Torres man the second base position. He has taken that opportunity and has excelled as he has been the Yankees’ most clutch offensive player this season and has accomplished so much at just 21-years-old. Torres has a .905 OPS through 63 games and won the AL Rookie of the Month Award for the month of May. He has had his fair share of errors this season as he is second among AL second basemen with 10. However, he is still rated above average on the defensive side of the ball and has made numerous great plays throughout his young big league career. His presence on the team goes beyond the scorebook as he helped spark a Yankees’ team that looked sloppy in April.

Runner Up: Miguel Andujar

Reliever of the Year: Aroldis Chapman

The Cuban Missile experienced a back and forth 2017 as he lost his closer’s job during the summer months and did not look like the same pitcher that brought a World Series Championship to the Cubs the previous season. However, Chapman has regained his old form this season and is arguably the best closer in the AL not named Blake Treinen. The 30-year-old southpaw has a 1.43 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 15.5 K/9. Chapman is projected to make his first All-Star team since 2015 with the Reds and is making his five-year deal look like it is worth every penny.

Photo Credit: NY Post

Runner Up: Jonathan Holder

Surprise Player: Jonathan Holder

He may have been the runner up for the reliever of the year, but there is no denying he has been a huge surprise in the Yankees’ bullpen. Kahnle’s velocity troubles, Green’s occasional mishaps, and Robertson’s regression have all been prevented from being detrimental due to the emergence of Holder. Holder was terrible when he made the team out of spring training, but has been virtually unhittable since the Yankees decided to give him a second chance in May. Holder currently boasts a 1.83 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP. He has not only become one of the Yankees’ most trusted relievers, but has put himself into the All-Star Game conversation.

Runner Up: CC Sabathia

Disappointing Player: Sonny Gray

It has been nothing but Gray skies for Sonny Gray this season as his second season in pinstripes has been a disaster up to this point as he is being categorized with Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano in terms of ineffectiveness. Gray has a -0.6 WAR, and the Yankees have lost 10 of their 29 games as a result of him starting the game. He is allowing baserunners to reach at an alarming rate and has not showed any signs of turning it around. Gray was projected to breakout this season in the Bronx, but has done the exact opposite as his 5.85 ERA has Yankees’ fans wanting him out of the rotation.

Runner Up: Neil Walker

Honorable Mention: Chasen Shreve

Moment: Boston Brawl

In a season full of major moments for the Yankees, the moment that takes the prize here is the April brawl that took place between the AL East heavy weights, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The rivalry has seen some lows in terms of competition over the past few season with both teams seeing ups and downs and roster turnover. However, with both teams loaded with young talent and established veterans, the rivalry is back full throttle, and the brawl was the embodiment of the revival. Tyler Austin and Joe Kelly both were backed immensely and it got, not only the opposing teams fired up, but their fans as well. Players from both teams displayed they were dedicated in protecting their teammates and were not afraid to go for each other’s throats. Ever since the brawl, every series between these two teams has felt like playoff baseball and the atmosphere surrounding these games is unreal. Oh, and of course the Yankees won.

Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

Runner Up: Gleyber Torres’ first walk-off

Honorable Mentions: Stanton’s signature moment, Didi’s 8 RBIs, Hicks 3 HR

Article by: Ryan Thoms

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