Handing out First-Half Awards to Atlanta Braves Players

We have reached the midway point of the 2013 MLB season, which means it's time to hand out some awards.

The Atlanta Braves (49-34) have been a roller-coaster team in 2013, but do sit atop the National League East thanks to some special individual performances.

Some of these individuals will be recognized in a few weeks at the All-Star Game. Others may not, but they can have the satisfaction of being recognized in this article.

Without further ado, here are the Atlanta Braves' Cy Young, Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Gold Glove winners of the first half.

1. Cy Young

Mike Minor has transformed from a project into one of the National League's best left-handed pitchers over the past year and has been the best pitcher for the Braves in the first half.

He leads Braves starters with a 2.98 ERA, 95 strikeouts, 8.33 K/9 and 1.05 WHIP and is just behind Paul Maholm in wins (8) and innings pitched (102.2).

He ranks in the top 10 in the National League with his 1.05 WHIP and eight wins.

Not bad for a pitcher who posted a 5.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP before the All-Star break in 2012.

The 25-year-old has blossomed this season and is demonstrating why the Braves drafted him with the No. 7 overall selection in 2009.

2. Most Valuable Player

Despite missing two weeks with an oblique injury, no player has consistently produced at a higher rate than Freddie Freeman.

The Braves' first baseman leads the team with 54 RBIs, 83 hits and a 2.0 offensive WAR rating. Among qualifiers, he leads the team with a .310 average, .384 on-base percentage and .858 OPS.

Meanwhile, he ranks in the top five on the team in other offensive categories such as doubles (15), home runs (9), runs scored (42) and walks (31).

He also is hitting an astounding .419 with two outs and runners in scoring position—a category the Braves have struggled with in 2013 as a team.

It would be a shame for the 25-year-old to get snubbed from this year's All-Star Game after the first half he's put together.

3. Rookie of the Year

Evan Gattis provided the most dramatic moments of the first half of 2013 and has been the top rookie on the Braves.

The legend that is "El Oso Blanco" has been temporarily suspended due to an oblique injury, but at one point seemingly grew each at-bat.

Gattis leads all MLB rookies with 14 home runs and 37 RBIs and is top five in slugging (.577) and OPS (.894).

The 26-year-old's unique story, along with his clutch hitting, have made him a fan favorite in a short amount of time. He has hit four home runs and drove in 11 runs in just eight pinch-hit at-bats—most of those being in pressure situations.

His direct impact on multiple games along with his positioning among other MLB rookies makes him the top rookie on the Braves in the first half.

4. Comeback Player of the Year

Jordan Schafer hit .211 with a .297 OBP in 106 games for the Houston Astros in 2012. He was then waived by the lowly Astros, and many Braves fans were scratching their heads when the Braves decided to claim the troubled outfielder.

I believe Schafer has exceeded most expectations coming into this season and has found a nice niche on this team.

For the season, he is hitting .309 with a .397 OBP. As a starter, those numbers jump to .320 and .421 respectively.

His comeback season has made many believe Schafer should be the starter in center field, citing a natural fit in the leadoff spot as well as a 1.2 offensive WAR rating; B.J. Upton has a minus-0.7.

General manager Frank Wren deserves credit for this signing. I don't think anybody envisioned the type of season Schafer has enjoyed thus far.

5. Gold Glove

Andrelton Simmons is not only the best fielder on the Braves, but he should win a Gold Glove as the National League's best shortstop in 2013.

The 23-year-old native of Curacao passes the eyeball test with his smooth hands, excellent range and strong arm.

He ranks fifth among shortstops in the National League with a .984 fielding percentage and six errors. However, he distances himself from the field with an absurd 3.1 defensive WAR rating. For comparison, the next closest shortstop in the entire league is J.J. Hardy with a 1.3 WAR.

In fact, Simmons leads all positions in the MLB with his 3.1 defensive WAR.

It's his award to lose, and will be for many years to come.