NL MVP
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, ARZ: Goldschmidt recorded an incredible stats line of .321/.435/.570, 33 HR, 110 RBI, 103 R, 38 2B, and 21 SB. The impactful "Goldy" ranked third for RBI with RISP and helped Arizona win 19 more games, going from a .395 Win Percent team to nearly .500.
Bryce Harper, LF, WSH: Harper doesn't win the MVP because his outstanding numbers didn't really improve the Nationals standings. The Nationals lost more games and missed the playoffs this season, despite Harper's excellent individual performance, .330/.460/.649, 43 HR, 99 RBI, and 118 R.
AL MVP
Josh Donaldson, 3B, TOR: Donaldson posted an impressive stats line of .297/.371/.568, 41 HR, 123 RBIs, and 122 R. Additionally, the 3B had some of the best clutch stats in the AL, ranking second for RBIs with RISP and tied for third for hits with RISP. Donaldson's number replace a dismale 3B platoon that's 2014 stats were quite forgettable, .234/.287/.398, 20 HR, 78 RBI, 67 R. This great improvement helped ignite a 10 game win improve from 2014 to 2015, as well as Toronto's first AL East title since 1993.
Mike Trout, CF, LAA: Despite a similar slash line and HRs .299/.402/.590, 41 HR, Trout is the AL MVP runner up because his RBI (90) and Runs (104), and clutch stats (tied 55th hits for RISP and tied 43rd for RBIs with RISP) aren't MVP caliber. Trout also didn't reignite a franchise this year or lead a team to the playoffs, like Donaldson.
NL Cy Young
Jake Arrieta, SP, CHC: Perhaps the closest Cy Young race in year, Arrieta is the winner with a record of 22-6, 1.77 ERA, 33 GS through 229 IP, 236 SO, 48 BB. Arrieta's pre-All Star game numbers were quite good at 10-5 2.66 ERA, yet his post-All Star stats are lights out: 12-1, .75 ERA. It's hard to pass on a pitcher who's gone from very good to stellar, the leagues only 20 game winner.
Zach Grienke, SP, LAD: So close Zach! 19-3, 1.66 ERA, 200 SO, 40 BB, 32 GS through 222.2 IP.
AL Cy Young
David Price, SP, DET/TOR: A mid season pick up by Toronto, trading for David Price proved to be a smart move, going 9-1, 2.30 ERA in 11 GS through 74.1 IP. On the year, Price ended up 18-5, 2.45 ERA, 225 SO, 47 BB in 32 GS through 220.1 IP. Per 9 innings, Price averaged 9.2 SO and 1.9 BB.
Dallas Keuchel, SP, HOU: A close second, Kuechel was the AL's only 20 game winner, going 20-8, 2.48 ERA, 216, 51 BB in 33 GS through 232.0 IP.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, ARZ: Goldschmidt recorded an incredible stats line of .321/.435/.570, 33 HR, 110 RBI, 103 R, 38 2B, and 21 SB. The impactful "Goldy" ranked third for RBI with RISP and helped Arizona win 19 more games, going from a .395 Win Percent team to nearly .500.
Bryce Harper, LF, WSH: Harper doesn't win the MVP because his outstanding numbers didn't really improve the Nationals standings. The Nationals lost more games and missed the playoffs this season, despite Harper's excellent individual performance, .330/.460/.649, 43 HR, 99 RBI, and 118 R.
AL MVP
Josh Donaldson, 3B, TOR: Donaldson posted an impressive stats line of .297/.371/.568, 41 HR, 123 RBIs, and 122 R. Additionally, the 3B had some of the best clutch stats in the AL, ranking second for RBIs with RISP and tied for third for hits with RISP. Donaldson's number replace a dismale 3B platoon that's 2014 stats were quite forgettable, .234/.287/.398, 20 HR, 78 RBI, 67 R. This great improvement helped ignite a 10 game win improve from 2014 to 2015, as well as Toronto's first AL East title since 1993.
Mike Trout, CF, LAA: Despite a similar slash line and HRs .299/.402/.590, 41 HR, Trout is the AL MVP runner up because his RBI (90) and Runs (104), and clutch stats (tied 55th hits for RISP and tied 43rd for RBIs with RISP) aren't MVP caliber. Trout also didn't reignite a franchise this year or lead a team to the playoffs, like Donaldson.
NL Cy Young
Jake Arrieta, SP, CHC: Perhaps the closest Cy Young race in year, Arrieta is the winner with a record of 22-6, 1.77 ERA, 33 GS through 229 IP, 236 SO, 48 BB. Arrieta's pre-All Star game numbers were quite good at 10-5 2.66 ERA, yet his post-All Star stats are lights out: 12-1, .75 ERA. It's hard to pass on a pitcher who's gone from very good to stellar, the leagues only 20 game winner.
Zach Grienke, SP, LAD: So close Zach! 19-3, 1.66 ERA, 200 SO, 40 BB, 32 GS through 222.2 IP.
AL Cy Young
David Price, SP, DET/TOR: A mid season pick up by Toronto, trading for David Price proved to be a smart move, going 9-1, 2.30 ERA in 11 GS through 74.1 IP. On the year, Price ended up 18-5, 2.45 ERA, 225 SO, 47 BB in 32 GS through 220.1 IP. Per 9 innings, Price averaged 9.2 SO and 1.9 BB.
Dallas Keuchel, SP, HOU: A close second, Kuechel was the AL's only 20 game winner, going 20-8, 2.48 ERA, 216, 51 BB in 33 GS through 232.0 IP.