MLB Preview 2008: Individual Leaders, Awards, Accolades and Predictions
Posted by Alan Hull on March 12th, 2008
It seems like this is a popular time for 2008 previews of Major League Baseball and all things related. I have already posted my pre-season predictions for 2008 and my preview series is underway, but I feel now is a good time to make some other predictions, for the curious fan or the gambling man. Pete Rose, pay no heed.
National League Preview 2008: Hitting
- Batting Title: Matt Holliday, COL - .338 (Runner-up: Albert Pujols, STL - .330)
- Home Run Crown: Ryan Howard, PHI - 46 (Runner-up: Prince Fielder, MIL/Adam Dunn, CIN - 44)
- RBI: Ryan Howard, PHI - 142 (Runner-up: Matt Holliday, COL - 133)
- Stolen Bases: Jose Reyes, NYM - 68 (Runner-up: Juan Pierre, LAD: 56)
- OPS: Ryan Howard, PHIL - 1.016 (Runner-up: Albert Pujols - 1.010)
American League Preview 2008: Hitting
- Batting Title: Ichiro Suzuki, SEA - .344 (Runner-up: Howie Kendrick, LAA - .336)
- Home Run Crown: Alex Rodriguez, NYY - 47 (Runner-up: David Ortiz, BOS - 41)
- RBI: David Ortiz, BOS - 142 (Runner-up: Miguel Cabrera, DET/Alex Rodriguez, NYY - 136)
- Stolen Bases: Carl Crawford, TB - 51 (Runner-up: Chone Figgins, LAA - 44)
- OPS: Alex Rodriguez, NYY - 1.004 (Runner-up: David Ortiz, BOS - 1.000)
National League Preview 2008: Pitching
- Wins: Johan Santana, NYM - 21 (Runner-up: Brandon Webb, AZ - 18)
- ERA: Jake Peavy, SD - 2.76 (Runner-up: Johan Santana, NYM - 2.88)
- Strikeouts: Johan Santana, NYM - 232 (Jake Peavy, SD - 224)
- Saves: Billy Wagner, NYM - 38 (Runner-up: Takashi Saito, LAD - 36)
American League Preview 2008: Pitching
- Wins: John Lackey, LAA/Jeremy Bonderman, DET - 20 (Runner-up: Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS - 18)
- ERA: Jeremy Bonderman, DET - 3.22 (Runner-up: John Lackey, LAA - 3.35)
- Strikeouts: Scott Kazmir, TB - 228 (Runner-up: Erik Bedard, SEA: 214)
- Saves: Francisco Rodriguez, LAA - 46 (Runner-up: Jonathan Papelbon, BOS - 43)
National League Preview 2008: Fielding - Gold Gloves
- C - Yadier Molina, STL (Runner-up: Russell Martin, LAD)
- 1B - Albert Pujols, STL (Runner-up: Mark Teixeira, ATL)
- 2B - Orlando Hudson, AZ (Runner-up: Chase Utley, PHI)
- 3B - Ryan Zimmerman, WAS (Runner-up: David Wright, NYM)
- SS - Troy Tulowitski, COL (Runner-up: Omar Vizquel, SF)
- OF - Andruw Jones, LAD
- OF - Carlos Beltran, NYM
- OF - Mike Cameron, MIL
- P - Johan Santana, NYM
American League Preview 2008: Fielding - Gold Gloves
- C - Joe Mauer, MIN (Runner-up: Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez)
- 1B - Casey Kotchman, LAA (Runner-up: Kevin Youkilis, BOS)
- 2B - Mark Ellis, OAK (Runner-up: Placido Polanco, DET)
- 3B - Adrian Beltre, SEA (Runner-u: Eric Chavez, OAK)
- SS - Orlando Cabrera, CHW (Runner-up: Jason Bartlett, TB)
- OF - Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
- OF - Curtis Granderson, DET
- OF - Grady Sizemore, CLE
- P - Daisuke Matsuzaka, BOS