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Twins Awards 2010
Posted by: Seth Stohs under On the road, Vikings Updated: September 28, 2010 - 8:25 AM
The Twins regular season is nearing its completion, so it is time to start handing out some awards for the season. E-ballots were sent to many Twins bloggers and media types and they were asked to vote for Twins MVP, Twins Pitcher of the Year, and Twins Rookie of the Year. 24 responses were received. A huge Thank You to those who contributed to this:
· Paul Allen is likely best known for his role as the Voice of the Vikings for KFAN, but he does terrific work on his nine to noon radio show at KFAN and KFAN.com. He also is the track announcer at Canterbury Downs.
· Darren “Doogie” Wolfson works for KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities as well as co-hosts Twins Wrap on 1500espn. He also writes a Your Voices blog for StarTribune.com.
· Phil Mackey is on-air from 12-2 each weekday with Patrick Reusse and writes extensively on the Twins at 1500espn.com.
· Howard Sinker was a Twins beat writer for the Star Tribune, and now he does a great job with startribune.com and blogs A Fans View from Section 219.
· Phil Miller was the Twins beat writer for the Pioneer Press for a couple of years. He did help the Startribune.com Twins coverage some this season, worked for FSNorth.com, Baseball America and now covers Gophers football for the Star Tribune.
· The TwinsCentric Guys:
o Seth Stohs – SethSpeaks.net
· Twins Bloggers:
Let's work through the awards, starting with the MVP:
This year’s Twins Bloggers/Writers/Media Types Minnesota Twins Most Valuable Player is:
JOE MAUER.
In an honor that I’m sure will mean as much to him as his 2009 American League MVP from the BBWA, Mauer racked up 14 of the 24 first-place votes among our panel. The smooth-swinging left-handed catcher is having another very solid campaign in 2010. In 133 games so far, he is hitting .331/.407/.473 with a career-high 42 doubles. His home run total has dropped from 28 in 2009 to just nine in 2010, but it appears much of that can be blamed on the move to Target Field as little has changed in Mauer’s approach at the plate. Much of Mauer’s value comes from his defense as well, where he has won two Gold Glove Awards in the last two years.
Delmon Young broke out in 2010 and showed more of the potential that fans have been waiting for since the Twins acquired him before the 2008 season. He finished second in the vote and with four first-place votes. Young was terrific from May through July when he kept the team a float. Defense is obviously a question mark in his game, but he is sitting at .298 with 19 home runs and 107 RBI including many big two-out, clutch hits.
Jim Thome came to the Twins on a one year, $1.5 million contract with the understanding that the Twins would limit his playing time in an effort to help him through the season. The Twins limited his playing time appropriately and the now-40 year old Thome has provided far more than anyone could have hoped for, on the field and off. In 105 games, he has hit .280/.412/.631. In 335 at bats, he has 16 doubles, an incredible (for him) two triples and a remarkable 25 home runs. His 1.043 OPS would be his best since 2002. He’s been everything the Twins hoped for, and more. He received two first-place votes.
Pitching is the name of the game, and in the fourth and fifth spots are the Twins co-aces. Francisco Liriano received three first place votes and put together numbers that resembled what he had shown in his ill-fated 2006 season. Carl Pavano provided an incredible consistency for the pitching staff. Through much of the season, he could be counted on for innings and quality starts. He led the pitching staff in innings and complete games, and had a pretty cool mustache.
Despite not playing since that fateful July 7th game, Justin Morneau finished sixth in the voting. He was a leading contender for AL MVP at the time of his concussion. The manager’s choice, Michael Cuddyer finished seventh in our voting. His versatility and willingness to play anywhere when needed was vital to the team. Danny Valencia was promoted in June when Cuddyer was put on the bereavement list. He was expected to be sent back to Rochester three or four days later, but another injury provided him an extended opportunity, and he has been a huge spark plug for the Twins ever since, playing well both offensively and defensively.
Brian Duensing got the remaining first-place vote but still finished ninth. Duensing made the team as a second left-handed reliever, but did so well in that role that he started getting more crucial assignments and he came through. Then around the midway point in the season, the Twins needed an arm in the rotation, and Duensing responded by going 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA.
It was a tough year to crack the Top 10 in this Twins vote. Jesse Crain and his remarkable bullpen work finished out the top 10. Orlando Hudson filled a Twins need in the #2 spot in the batting order and at 2nd base. He played as expected (well) and finished 11th. Jason Kubel hit another 20 home runs and finished 12th.
TwinsCentric Votes:
| Total Points | Seth Stohs | John Bonnes | Parker Hageman | Nick Nelson | |
| Joe Mauer | 40 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Francisco Liriano | 25 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Carl Pavano | 23 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
| Delmon Young | 17 | 8 | 5 | 4 | |
| Jim Thome | 15 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Justin Morneau | 15 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 3 |
| Brian Duensing | 8 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Jesse Crain | 5 | 3 | 2 | ||
| Michael Cuddyer | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Orlando Hudson | 3 | 3 | |||
| JJ Hardy | 2 | 2 |
The Ballots
Here are all of the ballots:
|
|
Total Points
|
Seth Stohs
|
John Bonnes
|
Parker Hageman
|
Nick Nelson
|
Doogie Wolfson
|
Phil Mackey
|
Howard Sinker
|
Phil Miller
|
Anthony Maggio
|
Dan Hammer
|
Shawn Berg
|
Kirsten Brown
|
Cody Christie
|
Dan Wade
|
Betsy Bissen
|
John Meyer
|
Judd Spicer
|
Eric Johnson
|
Josh Johnson
|
Andrew Bryz-Gornia
|
Paul Allen
|
Topper Anton
|
Andrew Kneeland
|
Eric Olson
|
|
Joe Mauer
|
211
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
8
|
8
|
6
|
8
|
5
|
8
|
6
|
8
|
8
|
6
|
|
Delmon Young
|
145
|
8
|
5
|
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
8
|
5
|
8
|
4
|
1
|
8
|
8
|
6
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
8
|
5
|
8
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
Jim Thome
|
124
|
3
|
1
|
5
|
6
|
2
|
8
|
5
|
8
|
6
|
1
|
8
|
4
|
6
|
8
|
|
6
|
8
|
6
|
10
|
10
|
3
|
5
|
5
|
|
|
Francisco Liriano
|
103
|
5
|
6
|
6
|
8
|
8
|
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
5
|
|
2
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
1
|
|
Carl Pavano
|
91
|
6
|
8
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
|
6
|
6
|
|
8
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
6
|
4
|
5
|
|
|
|
4
|
6
|
4
|
5
|
|
Justin Morneau
|
70
|
2
|
2
|
8
|
3
|
1
|
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
6
|
6
|
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
|
1
|
6
|
6
|
2
|
|
6
|
8
|
|
Michael Cuddyer
|
44
|
1
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
6
|
|
5
|
5
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
|
|
|
Danny Valencia
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
2
|
2
|
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
2
|
|
Brian Duensing
|
33
|
4
|
4
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
10
|
|
Jesse Crain
|
23
|
|
3
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Orlando Hudson
|
15
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
|
|
Jason Kubel
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denard Span
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Jon Rauch
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JJ Hardy
|
3
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jason Repko
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This year’s Twins Bloggers/Writers/Media Types Minnesota Twins Pitcher of the Year is:
FRANCISCO LIRIANO.
Liriano, at times, reminded Twins fans of his amazing 2006 rookie season. At times, he dominated. He recorded over a strikeout per inning, issued few walks and a miniscule number of home runs. His numbers looked very good, while those advanced pitching statistics show he was as good as anyone in the league at things he could control. He received 17 of the 24 first-place votes among our panel.
Carl Pavano provided the veteran leadership that the Twins and their fans hoped for. He not only pitched very well, but he pitched well over 200 innings. He frequently saved the bullpen with complete games. He could be counted on nearly every start for seven or eight innings and three runs or less. He received six first place votes.
Brian Duensing finished in third place in our vote and received the final first place vote. Pitched incredibly out of the bullpen and then really helped the team as a starting pitcher in the second half.
In mid-May, most Twins fans, bloggers, media and others had given up on Jesse Crain. Since then, he has been the Twins best, most reliable relief pitcher. He earned a lot of fourth place votes, a lot of third place votes and even a second place vote. He has been vital to the Twins success.
Jon Rauch, Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey tied for fifth but were far behind the top four.
TwinsCentric Vote:
| Total Points | Seth Stohs | John Bonnes | Parker Hageman | Nick Nelson | |
| Francisco Liriano | 19 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Carl Pavano | 17 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Brian Duensing | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Jesse Crain | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Kevin Slowey | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Jon Rauch | 1 | 1 | |||
| Nick Blackburn | 1 | 1 |
The Ballot:
|
|
Total Points
|
Seth Stohs
|
Parker Hageman
|
Nick Nelson
|
Phil Mackey
|
Andrew Bryz-Gornia
|
Topper Anton
|
Phil Miller
|
Dan Wade
|
Anthony Maggio
|
Paul Allen
|
Andrew Kneeland
|
Shawn Berg
|
Kirsten Brown
|
Josh Johnson
|
Eric Johnson
|
Eric Olson
|
John Bonnes
|
Dan Hammer
|
John Meyer
|
Cody Christie
|
Judd Spicer
|
Howard Sinker
|
Betsy Bitsen
|
|
Francisco Liriano
|
106
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
|
Carl Pavano
|
93
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
|
Brian Duensing
|
66
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
|
Jesse Crain
|
51
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
Scott Baker
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jon Rauch
|
7
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
Kevin Slowey
|
7
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matt Guerrier
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
Nick Blackburn
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matt Capps
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian Fuentes
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
This year’s Twins Bloggers/Writers/Media Types Minnesota Twins Rookie of the Year is:
DANNY VALENCIA.
This was clearly the easiest vote of the group. Danny Valencia received all 24 first-place votes, and in fact, there was very little competition. That does not, in any way, minimize just how terrific Valencia's rookie campaign has been. He has hit for average, shown power of late, and despite recent struggles, his defense has been remarkable.
TwinsCentric Vote:
| Total Points | Seth Stohs | John Bonnes | Parker Hageman | Nick Nelson | |
| Danny Valencia | 20 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Alex Burnett | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Drew Butera | 6 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Matt Fox | 1 | 1 | |||
| Jeff Manship | 1 | 1 | |||
| Trevor Plouffe | 1 | 1 |
The Ballot:
|
|
Total Points
|
Seth Stohs
|
John Bonnes
|
Parker Hageman
|
Nick Nelson
|
Doogie Wolfson
|
Phil Mackey
|
Andrew Bryz-Gornia
|
Topper Anton
|
Dan Hammer
|
Anthony Maggio
|
Paul Allen
|
Betsy Bissen
|
John Meyer
|
Judd Spicer
|
Andrew Kneeland
|
Shawn Berg
|
Kirsten Brown
|
Cody Christie
|
Josh Johnson
|
Eric Johnson
|
Eric Olson
|
Howard Sinker
|
Phil Miller
|
Dan Wade
|
|
Danny Valencia
|
120
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
|
Drew Butera
|
32
|
3
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
3
|
|
1
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
1
|
|
3
|
3
|
|
|
Alex Burnett
|
18
|
1
|
|
3
|
3
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
Matt Fox
|
14
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Jeff Manship
|
6
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wilson Ramos
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
3
|
|
Luke Hughes
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
Trevor Plouffe
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So now you have had the chance to review our 2010 Twins MVP, Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year. What do you think of the results? How would you vote? What would your rankings be? Leave your comments year.
_______________________________________
- At about 7:20 on Tuesday morning, John will be on The Power Trip morning show on KFAN.
- Yesterday, the Twins announced the Kyle Gibson was named the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and Joe Benson was named the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Year. Both will be on tonight's SethSpeaks.net Weekly Minnesota Twins podcast at 10:00 central time.
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