NL Awards: 3/4 Through The Season

The 2008 MLB season is 3/4 of the way done. Here are the winners of each award in the National League if the season ended today.

Rookie of the Year Award: Geovany Soto (Cubs)

Soto has been one of the best offensive catchers in the majors and it is only his rookie season. He is batting .285 with 18 home runs, 67 RBI's and 47 runs scored. He has a .490 slugging % and a .362 on base %. He ranks second among all catchers in RBI's and slugging %.

Runner Up: Jair Jurrjens (11-7 with 3.18 E.R.A. and 103 k's) (Braves)

Comeback Player of the Year Award: Rick Ankiel (Cardinals)

A few seasons ago, Ankiel was one of the top pitching prospects. However, he suffered many hurdles that he couldn't overcome. Then, he decided to try out as a hitter. He had a solid offensive season last year in limited time as he hit 11 homers in only 47 games. However, this season he took his offensive game to a new level. In 102 games this season, he is batting .283 with 22 home runs, 61 RBI's and 58 runs scored. He has a .353 on base % and a .536 slugging %. He also has one of the very best arms in the game.

Runner Up: Ryan Dempster (13-5 with 2.92 E.R.A. & 139 k's) (Cubs)

Manager of the Year Award: Fredi Gonzalez (Marlins)

Gonzalez has kept the Marlins, who nobody expected to be any good in playoff contention throughout the season in one of the better divisions in the league, the NL East. In the offseason, the Marlins traded their two most recognizable players Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit for a couple minor league prospects.

The main prospects they received were outfielder Cameron Maybin and LHP Andrew Miller. Maybin hasn't even played a game this season for the Marlins and Miller hasn't been effective as he has a 5-9 record with a 1.66 whip, a 5.63 E.R.A. and a .296 opponents batting average.

They even started the season with nobody pitcher Mark Hendrickson as their opening day starter. Yet, they are currently above .500 as they have a 63-57 record and are only 1.5 games behind the Phillies for the division lead.

Runner Up: Tony Larussa (Record: 66-56) (Cardinals)

Cy Young of the Year Award: Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks)

Webb is leading the majors with 17 wins and he only has lost 4 games. He has a 2.88 E.R.A. with 139 strikouts in 169 innings pitched along with a 1.13 whip and a .238 opponents batting average. He is 4th in the NL in E.R.A. and he is tied for 8th in strikeouts in the National League.

He is the ace of the division leading Arizona Diamondbacks. He has the game's best sinker and a fastball in the mid 90's. He also goes deep into games as he nearly averages 7 innings a start and has 3 complete games and 1 shutout.

Runner Up: Tim Lincecum (12-3 with 2.67 E.R.A. and NL leading 182 k's) (Giants)

Most Valuable Player Award: Chase Utley (Phillies)

Utley is the main reason why the Phillies are in first place in the NL East. His two other great teammates Ryan Howard and reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins are both having below average seasons, but they are still in first place because of Utley's 30 home runs (tied for 3rd in NL) and 83 RBI's (tied for 7th in NL).

He is also batting .290 with 80 runs scored (tied for 7th in NL) and 10 stolen bases to only 1 caught. He also has a .371 on base % and a .573 slugging % (7th in NL). On top of that, he is an above average defensive second baseman as he only has 10 errors and a .984 fielding %.

Runner Up: Albert Pujols (.345 average with 24 homers, 75 RBI's, 72 runs scored, 6 stolen bases, .459 on base % and .608 slugging %) (Cardinals)

Tomorrow, I will give you the awards for the American League. Please comment on which awards you think I got right and which ones you would change and why.