MLB: Early Front-Runners for Each MLB Award

The MLB season has just gotten underway, but it's never too early to discuss the front-runners for MLB awards.

There have been some players who have gotten off to monster starts and some who have gotten off to slow starts.

We will have to wait and see if these players are going to continue what they have done so far this season.

Either way, here's a look at the current front-runners for each MLB award.

AL Comeback Player of the Year

Front-runner: Justin Morneau

At one point, it appeared as if Justin Morneau's baseball career was over. He won the American League MVP award in 2006 and was one of the best hitters in baseball.

In the last two seasons, he has battled concussions. Morneau has only played in 80 games over the last two seasons. In those 80 games, he hit .235 with eight home runs and 36 RBI.

So far, Morneau is hitting .267 with four home runs and six RBI.

NL Comeback Player of the Year

Front-runners: Stephen Strasburg, Hanley Ramirez, Jason Heyward, Chad Billingsley 

Strasburg missed the majority of the 2011 season because of Tommy John surgery. He already has more wins in 2012 than he did last season. He's 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA.

Ramirez is one of the best players in baseball. But in 2011, he had an off year. He hit .243, with 10 home runs and 45 RBI. So far in 2012, Ramirez is hitting .283, with four home runs and 12 RBI.

After an impressive rookie campaign in 2010, Heyward suffered a sophomore slump. In 2011, he hit .227 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI. This season, Heyward is hitting .341 with two home runs and six RBI.

Chad Billingsley could be a significant factor in whether the Dodgers compete in the NL West. Billingsley is the No. 2 starter behind Clayton Kershaw, but struggled in 2011. So far in 2012, Billingsley is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA.

AL Manager of the Year

Front-runners: Ron Washington, Buck Showalter

The Texas Rangers have made it to two straight World Series. They have lost both of them, and that disappointment could have carried over into the 2012 season.

That has not happened, and Ron Washington has to be rewarded for the Rangers' great start. The Rangers are one of the best teams in baseball, at 11-2.

The Baltimore Orioles were expected to be the bottom-feeders in the American League East. However, they are currently in first place in that division.

While this will most likely not last long, Buck Showalter is currently one of the front-runners for AL Manager of the Year.

NL Manager of the Year

Front-runners: Don Mattingly, Mike Matheny

The Los Angeles Dodgers are moving away from the chaos that surrounded them in 2011. They have gotten off to a hot start in 2012, and that puts manager Don Mattingly in the front of the race for National League Manager of the Year. The Dodgers are 10-3 in 2012.

One of the most difficult jobs to have in baseball this year is manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are coming off a World Series victory, but lost their best player in free agency. Despite this, the Cardinals are leading the NL Central.

Mike Matheny is responsible for some of their success and deserves to be a front-runner.

AL Rookie of the Year

Front-runners: Wei-Yin Chen, Yoenis Cespedes

The Baltimore Orioles' starting rotation was a huge concern going into 2012. Rookie Wei-Yin Chen has been a nice surprise so far and is one of the front-runners for the American League Rookie of the Year award. In two starts, he's 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA.

Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes came into the league with lofty expectations. He's extremely athletic and has some serious potential. He has hit only .222, but already has four home runs and 12 RBI.

He's on pace for 50 home runs and 150 RBI. 

NL Rookie of the Year

Front-runner: Lance Lynn

Lance Lynn has been dominant in his first two starts this season. He's 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA.

Lynn has allowed only six hits and is the current front-runner to be the National League Rookie of the Year.

AL Cy Young

Front-runners: Colby Lewis, Bartolo Colon, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver

This is a tight race so far, but Colby Lewis may be leading it. Lewis is 2-0, with a 1.83 ERA and 22 K's. It also helps that he's pitching for the Rangers.

Bartolo Colon has gotten off to another strong start in 2012. He's currently leading the American League with three wins and has been more than the Athletics could have asked for. Colon is 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA. In 27.1 innings, he has 19 K's.

2011 American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander is one of the front-runners in 2012. He's only 1-1, but has a 2.13 ERA and 23 K's.

Jered Weaver got off to a strong start in 2011. He has done that again in 2012. Weaver is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA and 23 K's.

NL Cy Young

Front-runner: Roy Halladay

Halladay is leading the pack for the National League Cy Young right now. He is 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA.

With the Phillies' offense struggling, Halladay needs to pitch incredibly in order for them to win.

So far, he has. He's started three games and won all three. In 23 innings, he has given up 14 hits and just three runs.

AL MVP

Front-runner: Derek Jeter, Josh Hamilton

Derek Jeter has silenced his critics early on this season. The middle of the Yankees' lineup has struggled to start 2012, and Jeter has carried them.

Jeter is hitting .373 with four home runs and 11 RBI. He has nine runs and 22 hits this season. He has been the most consistent and valuable player in the Yankees lineup. 

Josh Hamilton has gotten off to a monster start. He has led the Rangers' offense, and they have the best record in baseball. Hamilton is hitting .436 with five home runs and 12 RBI. His 23 hits lead the American League. 

NL MVP

Front-runners: Matt Kemp, Roy Halladay

Kemp has been the biggest story in 2012. He is the front-runner for the National League MVP award right now. Kemp is hitting .451 with seven home runs and 18 RBI. His 23 hits and 15 runs both lead the MLB. The Dodgers have gotten off to a 10-3 start, and much of that is because of Kemp.

Halladay has to be mentioned as a possibility to be the MVP because of his great start and what he means to the Phillies. Kemp is the obvious front-runner, but Halladay deserves some consideration.