Padres Post Season Awards…

Ok, it’s time for the inaugural Andy Awards.

I’m going to tell you who I think was the Padres, MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year Player/Pitcher, Comeback Player, Unsung Hero of 2009 and the Padre I’m Most Looking Forward to Seeing in ’10 (The PIMLFS ’10). Here we go:

2009 Padres MVP: Adrian Gonzalez

Also considered: David Eckstein, Kevin Correia, and Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Tough to argue this one. Adrian once again showed why he is one of the elite in Major League Baseball. He hit .277, with 40 homers and drove in 99. He became one of just 4 San Diego hitters to belt 40 long ones in a season. He now has 30+ hr’s in 3 consecutive seasons (30, 36, 40). Not to mention his ability to walk, a career high 119 times in 2009. Gonzalez also plays a gold glove caliber first base.

2009 Padres Pitcher of the Year: Kevin Correia

Also considered: Heath Bell, Mike Adams, Edward Mujica and Luke Gregerson.

Correia was a non-roster invitee to spring training and won a spot out of camp. His early starts showed a little inconsistency, but something changed on or around May 15 in a start at PETCO against the Reds. He started showing faith in his curve and change up, and the rest was history. Culminating with a complete game shutout victory at Arizona, September 25^th. Correia finished 12-11 with a 3.91 ERA in a career high 33 starts.

2009 Padres Rookie Player of the Year: Everth Cabrera

Also considered: Will Venable, and Kyle Blanks.

I went with Cabrera because to me he was the most exciting player to watch this entire season. He continued to improve from day one, and when he returned from injury, he started every game. I was impressed with his plate discipline and of course his fielding. He did boot some routine grounders, but come on, he made some plays that still have me thinking, WOW! EC, you make it look EZ.

2009 Padres Rookie Pitcher of the Year: Luke Gregerson

Also considered: Mat Latos, and Ryan Webb.

Gregerson came out of nowhere. Seriously. Part of the retooled pen at the end of spring training, he was acquired as part of the Khalil Greene trade and never looked back. Luke appeared in 72 games, pitched in 75 innings and struck out 93 hitters. He became a stabilizing force in the 7^th and sometimes the 8^th. He also recorded his first ML save this season. His slider is among the best I’ve seen.

2009 Padres Comeback Player of the Year: Wade LeBlanc

Also considered: Joe Thatcher, Kevin Correia, and Tim Stauffer.

This was a tough choice. Considering that Thatcher who rode the Portland shuttle as many times as Drew Macias, made an adjustment in the minors and came back strong. He turned into a reliable reliever and situational lefty for Bud Black. But LeBlanc made his comeback after a demotion following a start in Seattle, and turned heads. His numbers after his first two outings, 0-1, 14.50 ERA, 4 1/3 innings, 7 earned runs. He finished the season, 3-1, with a 3.69 ERA. He cut down on his walks and struck out a career high 8 Giants in his last start.

2009 Unsung Hero of 2009: David Eckstein

Also considered: Mike Adams, Heath Bell, Henry Blanco, and Oscar Salazar.

What can you say about Eckstein. Numbers do not tell his story. He meant as much to the team in the clubhouse, lockering right next to Everth Cabrera, as he did on the field. He just made every play. How? Not sure, but he did. A stabilizing force in the lineup in the 2 hole, always gave a tough at bat, and who didn’t love watching him choke up on the bat? You know you did. Glad that Eckstein is going to be back in 2010. A class guy.

2010 Player I’m Most Looking Forward to Seeing 2010: Kyle Blanks

Also considered: Tony Gwynn, Luis Durango, Everth Cabrera, Will Venable

Blanks season was cut short due to a foot injury after 54 games. He hit .250, with 10 homers and 22 runs batted in. The sample size was good to get an idea of what raw power this young man possesses, but I would have loved to see more. His adjustment to the outfield seemed pretty smooth. He’s not Tony Gwynn or Will Venable out there, but he certainly made all the plays. His power and speed intrigue me, and I’m looking very forward to seeing more of Kyle Blanks in 2010.

Well there you have em, the first ever, Andy Awards. Let me know if you agree with my selections, and who some of your picks are.

Thanks for checking in!

Andy