The Chicago Cubs’ 2014 season may be over, but now the Cubs’ front office can turn their attention to offseason moves in an attempt to make the Cubs a threat in the NL Central in 2015. As we head into the offseason, let’s hand out the team awards for the 2014 season.
MVP – Anthony Rizzo
Not surprisingly, Anthony Rizzo brings home the Cubs’ Most Valuable Player award. Rizzo bounced back from a poor performance in 2013 and put up strong numbers, sporting a slash line of .286/.386/.527 with 32 home runs and 78 RBIs. He also led the team in runs scored, home runs, runs batted in, walks, on-base percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, total bases, and extra-base hits.
Rizzo made his first of what should be many All-Star appearances in 2014. The 25-year-old first baseman seems to be in store for an even better 2015 as his team pushes for its first playoff appearance since 2008.
Cy Young/Breakout Player of the Year – Jake Arrieta
Acquired in 2013, Jake Arrieta’s career took a dramatic turn under Cubs’ pitching coach, Chris Bosio. In his first season working with Bosio, Arrieta had the best year of his career posting a 10-5 record along with a 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 9.6 K/9 – all of which were career bests.
Not only did Arrieta earn the team’s Cy Young award, he also won the Breakout Player of the Year award. Before his 2014 campaign, Arrieta seemed like a bust. In his three and a half years playing for the Baltimore Orioles, Arrieta totaled a 20-25 record, 5.46 ERA, and 1.47 WHIP. This year was certainly a breakout one; Cubs fans can safely expect a similar performance in 2015.
Arrieta is most certainly the ace in the Cubs’ pitching rotation heading into the 2015 season. However, it does appear likely that the Northsiders will make a move to acquire one of the top-tier pitchers in free agency this winter. If the Cubs’ don’t land a stud starter, Arrieta will be throwing out the first pitch for the club next season.
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Comeback Player of the Year – Starlin Castro
Starlin Castro appeared to be one of the best shortstops in baseball as the 2013 season approached, however, he put together the worst season of his career with a .245/.284/.347 slash line and just 44 RBIs.
Entering the 2014 season, Castro’s doubters were louder than ever. All Castro did to respond was bounce back with a team-best .292 batting average to go with 14 home runs and 65 RBIs.
Unfortunately, for the first time in his young career, Castro missed an extended amount of time due to injuries – he played in 138 games instead of his usual 160. If he had managed to stay healthy down the stretch, Castro would have broken his single season record for home runs and RBIs.
Regardless of the time he missed, Castro deserves to be named the Cubs’ Comeback Player of the Year. Castro will enter spring training healthy and ready for another great season in 2015.
Minor League Player of the Year – Kris Bryant
By now, every baseball fan has heard the name Kris Bryant. It’s no shock that Bryant earns the Cubs’ Minor League Player of the Year award as he was also given the overall Minor League Player of the Year award by both Baseball America and USA Today.
The Cubs’ electrifying third base prospect sported some of the best numbers out of a minor league player in recent memory. He hit a remarkable .325 with 43 home runs, 110 RBIs, 118 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 138 games combined at the AA and AAA level.
Bryant will have to fight to earn a roster spot in spring training. If he doesn’t start next season on the Cubs’ Opening Day roster, he should be called up in early May at the latest.
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This article The Chicago Cubs’ 2014 season awards appeared first on isportsweb by Mark Steubinger
