Predictions 2011: AL Individual Awards

There may be no 'I' in team, but that doesn't stop us from handing out individual awards.  Here are my predictions for this year's AL Awards.

AL Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Hellickson

This is usually my least favorite award to predict.  There have been so many 'can't miss' prospects who have come up only to flame out at the first sign of a big league slider or the presence of A-Rod staring out at them from 60' 6" away.  Hellickson, however, has already had a taste of the big leagues, in the midst of a pennant race, no less, and handled himself quite nicely.  About half of those outings came out of the bullpen, where he wasn't quite as good, but as a starter, where he'll be this year he was outstanding.  As a starter, Hellickson posted a .76 WHIP, 8.45 K/9, and 2.05 ERA.  Small sample size, I know, but combine that with a solid spring, and I think that he's ready to be a full time contributor to the Rays and 2011 ROY.
Also receiving votes: Michael Pineda, Tsuyoshi Nishioka


AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez

I usually hate it when athletes get 'King' attached to their names, but in Felix' case, the moniker is well deserved.  I still can't believe that this guy is only about to turn 25 years old.  Now that we know that the voters are willing to look at numbers other than wins when deciding their CY votes, I'm confident that Felix will be right there again this year.  Even if his numbers aren't quite is good as his career best last year, they're still going to be excellent.  Not having to pitch regularly against the Yanks, Red Sox, and Rays helps, but he doesn't really need it.  I really hope that Jack Zduriencik is being honest with the M's fans when he says that they're not even going to entertain offers for him.
Also receiving votes: Jon Lester, David Price

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez

Can you believe that over the course of his career Adrian Gonzalez has been traded for the likes of Ugueth Urbina and Adam Eaton?   Still only 28 years old and about to begin his first season outside the hitter's hell that is Petco Park, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around what kind of numbers Gonzalez is going to put up this year.  Having guys on base ahead of him and a little protection behind him, for the first time, shouldn't hurt either.  He seems to be fully recovered from the shoulder surgery he underwent in the offseason ending the spring with a couple of HR's and a .529 BA over the last week since starting to use the heavier bat he'll use during the regular season.  There is the concern that switching leagues may hurt him a bit, ala Matt Holliday, but I'm envisioning something closer to Miguel Cabrera's switch from the senior to junior circuit (sidebar: the Marlins sure have signed/drafted some pretty top notch talent over the years, don't you think?).
Also receiving votes: Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera, Evan Longoria