Predictions 2011: NL Individual Awards

Let's get to the NL Awards.

NL Rookie of the Year: Brandon Belt

After the Bonds era in San Fran, the Giants have shown themselves quite capable of developing young arms (and doling out terrible contracts: Zito, Barry) with Timmy and Matt Cain being bonafide top of the rotation stars and Bumgarner seemingly on his way.  However, in the last few years the bats have started to catch up with Pablo Sandoval and last year's ROY, Buster Posey.  This year, it is Brandon Belt's turn.  He got better last year with each promotion, 3 of them, through the Giants system and was good enough this spring to force Aubrey Huff to the outfield.  We'll see how many AB's he gets with a healthy Mark DeRosa (another great signing by Sabean) and Cody Ross, but I'm guessing he'll take advantage of every one of them.
Also receiving votes: Freddie Freeman, Aroldis Chapman



NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay

Ok, so I picked both of last year's Cy Young award winners to repeat this year, which hasn't happened since 99-00 (Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez).  But I've seen nothing this spring that leads me to believe that either one of these guys is going to give anything back to the field in defense of their awards.  I know that I should be concerned about the amount of innings thrown by Halladay last year, but behind teammate Cliff Lee, Doc was the second most efficient pitcher in the big leagues, based on K/BB and BB/9, so he doesn't work any harder than he has to.  Add to that the fact that he's got the frame to take the abuse and is in fantastic shape and my concern lessens.  Something tells me that being surrounded by the staff that he is will only add to Doc's motivation to repeat this year.
Also receiving votes: Cliff Lee, Tim Lincecum, Cole Hamels (sue me, I'm a Phillies fan)


NL MVP: Troy Tulowitzki

So is there anything that this guy doesn't do well?  Fantasy owners (me included) are sleeping well these days dreaming of a repeat of last September.  Even when he isn't having a Ruthian month, he's as good as it gets both at the plate and on the field.  He'll even steal a few bases for you too!  His home road splits aren't nearly as pronounced as teammate CarGo and the defense he provides at a premium position gives him the edge for me over Albert Pujols.  As long as he manages to play a full season, I think this is his year to run away with an MVP award.
Also receiving votes: Albert Pujols, Joey Votto, Ryan Howard