Chris Sale, Jose Abreu on CBS Sports mid-season awards list
Jul 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) hits a double during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Two Chicago White Sox players were named to the CBS Sports Mid-Season baseball awards by baseball insider Jon Heyman with pitcher Chris Sale and first baseman Jose Abreu being listed.
Abreu was listed as the mid-season American League Rookie of the Year by Heyman as he wrote:
"“The brilliant Cuban import leads MLB with 29 home runs and a .630 slugging percentage. Can’t go wrong with him or Tanaka here.”"
Heyman has Sale as third in the AL Cy Young award race, writing about the White Sox ace:
Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League pitcher Chris Sale (49) of the Chicago White Sox throws a pitch in the 4th inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
"“Having a similar season to Clayton Kershaw (without the no-hitter). Good job by the fans to add him to the All-Star team in the Final Player vote.”"
I tend to agree with Heyman on both of these placements, but I would have Sale second on the list to Felix Hernandez, not third.
The second half of this season could be even better for Sale if he can stay off the disabled list. The Cy Young award voting could come down to the final weeks of the season before there is a clear-cut winner.
What is hurting Sale is the near month he spent on the DL with the left flexor strain.
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As for Abreu … not just because I watch the White Sox on a daily basis, but he’s more than deserving to be the AL Rookie of the Year if the season ended right now.
Abreu leads the Majors in home runs with 29 and has even missed time on the DL with an ankle issue. Also for Abreu, he has 73 RBIs and has become the cornerstone of the White Sox franchise.
The rookie slugger is already a two-time AL Rookie of the Month just three months into his career, winning the honor in April and June. (Abreu was on the DL in May).
He’s proven he’s going to be a big-time player for the White Sox for years to come, and it will be exciting to see where he ends up once the season is complete.