Fantasy MVP:
Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Yankees
While players like Jacoby Ellsbury (whose average draft position (ADP) according to Mock Draft Central was No. 63), Ryan Braun (ADP 10) and Matt Kemp (ADP 21) have comparably valuable numbers, Granderson (ADP 73) gets the nod in part due to his lower draft-day cost. Through Sunday, Granderson leads the majors in homers (38) and RBI (107), and is miles ahead of anyone in runs with 121 (Ellsbury is second with 95). Granderson has also been kind enough to chip in 24 stolen bases. That he is hitting just .278 is the only thing that keeps these other players (some of whom are hitting over .330) in the conversation.
Fantasy CY Young:
Justin Verlander (ADP 59), RHP, Detroit Tigers
This one's easy as Verlander leads the majors in wins (20), strikeouts (218), WHIP (0.90) and innings pitched (215.2). He's also third in ERA at 2.38. Should Johnny Cueto and Jered Weaver stumble in ERA down the stretch, Verlander could lead the majors in all five categories. And keep in mind his margins in wins (C.C. Sabathia and Ian Kennedy are tied for second at 17) and WHIP (Josh Beckett is second a 0.97) are wide.
Comeback Player of the Year:
Lance Berkman, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
While Ellsbury and Josh Beckett (ADP 172) merit mention, the 35-year old Berkman (ADP - not in the top 200) was truly left for dead. Instead, he managed 30 homers through August in just 390 at-bats and a .289/.405/.570 line, reminiscent of the borderline Hall-of-Fame prime of his career, despite playing in a park that typically limits the long ball.
Rookie of the Year:
Michael Pineda, RHP, Seattle Mariners
Pineda has seemed to wear down of late, but even so, he's still managed a WHIP of 1.09, 156 strikeouts in 153 innings and nine wins. His 3.71 ERA hasn't hurt anyone, either, so I'll give him the narrow win over Jordan Walden whose 4 wins, 26 saves and solid ERA (2.70) in 50 innings might even edge Pineda out in many formats. Jeremy Hellickson also deserves consideration as does Mark Trumbo with 23 home runs, but Trumbo's position (1B) and his low batting average (.256) weigh against him. J.P Arencibia's 20 HRs from the catcher spot were also valuable, but the .212 batting average hurts badly.