1999 NL Award Predictions

1999 NL Award Predictions

Rookie of the Year

2B/3B Bob Bromell – San Diego Padres

            The Padres may have had the steal of the draft in 1998, selecting Bromell with the 6th overall pick. Nearly ready to play in RLB straight out of Acadia University, it didn’t take long for Bromell to make his appearance with the Padres. After slashing .338/.408/.563 in 77 games at AAA, he made his big league debut for the Padres in September. He showed his bat could play at the highest level, posting an OPS of 1.072 over 98 plate appearances. His elite power, contact, and defensive versatility will surely earn him plenty of playing time in 1999.

In the Mix

SP Brandon Gentsch – Houston Astros

SP Jay Ford – Florida Marlins

SP Dean Wright – Arizona Diamondbacks

Pitcher of the Year

SP Johnny Lortie – Chicago Cubs

            Lortie has come close to winning the Pitcher of the Year award in both his professional seasons, finishing second in voting in 1997 and 1998. Bested by his own teammate David Flores in ’97 and Mike Davis (CIN) in 1998, I predict this is the season the Lortie will break through and take the title for himself. His numbers have only gotten better, improving his ERA+ from 128 to 194 from ’97 to ’98. The only thing to watch out for is can he continue to hold up while pitching 200+ innings every year? There have been questions about his stamina and ability to go deep into games, but so far that hasn’t caught up to him.

In the Mix

SP Mike Davis – Cincinnati Reds

SP Scott Ellis – San Francisco Giants

SP Aaron Stanley – Philadelphia Phillies

SP Randy Oliver – Saint Louis Cardinals

Most Valuable Player

CF Chris Bentle – Atlanta Braves

            Bentle is no surprise as the favorite here as the two time reigning MVP in the National League. Providing elite defense and every tool at the plate, there are no holes or weaknesses in Bentle’s game. We haven’t  seen this caliber of player in RLB since Mike Hastings was in his prime and won five straight MVP’s from 1987 – 1991. Bentle has the rare combination of elite power and defense, and also hit .358 in 1998, good for third best in the NL. Still only 22 years old, he can only expect to improve as his experience grows.

In the Mix

RF Jim Balliett – Los Angeles Dodgers

CF Jon Ball – Pittsburgh Pirates

3B Elijah Griffin – Chicago Cubs

GM of the Year

William – San Diego Padres

            This could be the year the stockpiling early first round draft picks and pulling off a few savvy trades pays off for the Padres. Their offense has a fantastic young core led by Jon Pickens, Shane Ewing, Bob Bromell, and Ken Petty (drafted #2, #1, #6, and #5 overall respectively.) Joe Hanson and Ed Morris round out their offense, both acquired through a trade with the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Mark Brown. A mediocre pitching staff may just be good enough to propel the Padres into Wild Card contention this season, I project 86-88 wins for the Padres in 1999.

In the Mix

Sean – Philadelphia Phillies

Ian – Atlanta Braves