NL CY YOUNG CANDIDATES

Here's a quick look at the top NL CY Young candidates so far this season.

PAUL LECROY, PHI

This man has been straight out dominant so far this season for the Cheese Steaks. Paul LeCroy, the former #1 overall picks a few seasons back, is 10-2 with a 2.63 ERA. He has a career-best 1.06 WHIP this season, and it's looking like he'll be the NL starter in the All-Star game. Well deserved, indeed.

VICENTE TREVINO, STL

The CY YOUNG winner back in S5, he had an off S6. However, he's back in CY form with St. Louis this season. Vicente Trevino is 10-4 with a 2.71 ERA so far, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down one bit.

AL BURNETT, KC

Enter the darkhorse, Mr.Al Burnett. He sports an 8-4 record with a 2.98 ERA for the Kansas City Pine Tar, and he looks to lead the club into the 2nd half of the year in solid shape for a Wild Card berth, if not the Division Title. If KC is to overtake Philly, Burnett must keep his form.

AL CY YOUNG CANDIDATES

Here's a quick look at the top AL CY Young candidates so far this season.

RUDY DINGMAN, PAW

This former Salem castoff is a pitcher who's always had the talent, just never turned it on until this season. So far in S7, Rudy Dingman is 9-3 with a 2.14 ERA, and an impressive 0.89 WHIP. This could finally be the year that Dingman bring the CY hardware home.

WESLEY DOUGLASS, OKC

Yet another Salem castoff who's found much success after leaving the Lights. Wesley Douglass is 8-4 so far this season with a 2.81 ERA for the Oklahoma City squad. His .205 OAV is extremely impressive, considering they are division-mates with some of the highest scoring teams in the AL. As we head closer to the All-Star Break, it'll be interesting to see if Douglass can hold onto this pace.

CHARLIE UPSHAW, RIC

Richmond hasn't had many bright spots so far this season, but Charlie Upshaw is definitely one of them. Sporting a 7-2 record with a 2.49 ERA, Upshaw is a legit contender for the AL CY award. Consider Upshaw the darkhorse for the award, but realistically, he has a good a shot as anybody.

NL MVP CANDIDATES

Here's a quick look at the top NL MVP candidates so far this season.

LIVAN ORDONEZ, KC

This guy doesn't overwhelm you with his power or his speed, but Livan Ordonez can flat out hit. He's currently sporting a .381 BA, which is tops in the entire ML. Along with 21 HR and 64 RBI, you can be assured that Ordonez will stay in the NL MVP race for the entire season.

BILLY LAMB, BOS

This is the man that has torn up ML pitching since first stepping foot on ML soil. Billy Lamb is on pace this season for all-time highs in virtually every category. Sporting a .334 BA, 34 HR, and 78 RBI, Billy currently has the inside track for the NL award. It is a long season, however, and there's still plenty of time for other candidates to make up ground.

HARRY ROWE, ARI

If there's an NL MVP candidate from the Arizona franchise, chances are you are thinking that it's Nicholas Lanier. Wrong! Enter Harry Rowe, Arizona's new hitting stud. With a .325 BA, 24 HR, and a NL-leading 80 RBI, Rowe has as good a chance for the NL MVP as anybody. Don't count Lanier out either, as you know he'll bounce back.

AL MVP CANDIDATES

Here's a quick look at the top AL MVP candidates so far this season.

PEDRO RODRIGUEZ, PAW

This stud 1B didn't wait long at all to showcase his talents at the ML level. At the ripe age of 22, Pedro Rodriguez instantly became a superstar. This season, he has a league-lead .370 BA with 21 HR and 72 RBI. If he keeps this rate up, it'll be hard to pass him up for AL MVP.

GERONIMO ELCANO, SAL

Last season's MVP hasn't let up one bit after making his ML debut. Geronimo Elcano is absolutely destroying the ball this season, leading the league with 31 HR and 92 RBI. His .327 BA isn't too shabby, either. Elcano arguably had the inside track, but a neck injury has him sidelined for another 19 games. Will Rodriguez take advantage and seal the award, or will Elcano regain his form after his comeback from injury?

DEL GUITERREZ, MAD

If you want a darkhorse for the award, then here's your man. Del Gutierrez has as much talent as Elcano and Rodriguez, and he's capable of turning it on at any moment. He's a hair under a .300 BA with .296, but his 29 HR and 65 RBI has him among the league's best.