The question of who the first half MVP is for the Detroit Tigers is not an easy one. The obvious characters in the plot lie upon the likes of our three All Stars.
Justin Verlander: His streak of pitching at least 6 innings in games that he has started is stunning. (If he stays on pace, he will pass Bob Gibson late this fall or early spring of next year at 78 straight.)
Prince Fielder: His hot bat led us to only 3.5 games out at the break and his transition to American League pitching has been flawless. (Not something to take for granted.)
Miguel Cabrera: Does anyone want to argue for a better hitter in the universe? (Is this the year that he gets his MVP?)
All of these players are certainly worthy of the title of MVP within the organization for the first half of the season. However, we thought that we would give the honors to a unexpected player for his unlikely contribution to this year's squad.
Austin Jackson: Even with that stint on the DL, Austin's numbers are placing him in the conversation for MVP not just of the Tigers, but for the whole American League.
Look at the comparison of numbers from last year to this year! Who would have imagined such progress in our young and future all-star?
Are you kidding me? Who would have even thought that he would cut down on his strikeouts and add to his OPS in such copious fashion? And essentially double his HR and RBI??? This guy has gone out of his mind, especially when you consider that he is only at 253 AB.
Some are mining for comparisons to Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates. We agree. Give Austin two more years and he could be a threat to comparisons to the Bucs up and coming centerfielder.
We'll see if he holds for the second half, and if he does, look for him to have a serious impact in October.
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