MLB's 1st half MVPs, Breakouts, Disappointments

As we near the unofficial midway point of the 2016 campaign, it's time to reflect on what a crazy first half it's been.

Rangers outfielder Ian Desmond is playing like an MVP, while superstar Andrew McCutchen is not. The Cleveland Indians are one of the best teams in the majors, while the Los Angeles Angels most certainly are not.

Elsewhere, David Ortiz is playing like he's 25, Kris Bryant is performing like a seasoned veteran, and Johnny Cueto is looking like the $130-million pitcher no one was really sure he was.

Alas, it's been an unpredictable three-plus months in baseball, and our editors attempted to summarize it by handing out some midseason awards.

AL MVP: Jose Altuve

The diminutive Astros second baseman out-muscled a pair of reigning MVPs - and the great Manny Machado - to secure our top AL honor. Through Thursday, Altuve was hitting an MLB-best .346 while his 14 homers in 86 games were already one shy of last year's career high.

NL MVP: Kris Bryant

MLBs preeminent super-utility slugger has taken the baseball world by storm a little over a year after his controversial delayed promotion. Bryant paces the league in runs and homers, and will lead the Cubs' infield into a historic All-Star Game appearance in San Diego next week.

AL Cy Young: Chris Sale

Our unanimous pick for AL Cy Young thus far, Sale is striking out three fewer batters per nine innings, yet he's never been better. The towering White Sox ace - who leads the league in innings - has a newly discovered efficiency about him that makes an already difficult matchup for hitters almost impossible.

NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw

There's no timetable as of yet for Kershaw's return from a back injury, but his brilliance over the first couple months could carry him to another award-winning season regardless of how much time he's missed. He's arguably been the most valuable player in baseball during the first half - he's compiled more wins above replacement than anyone, including position players - while his 16.11 K/BB is of the video-game variety.

AL Top Rookie: Michael Fulmer

NL Top Rookie: Corey Seager

AL Disappointing Player: David Price

The Red Sox made David Price the highest-paid pitcher in baseball over the winter, and so far he's been anything but worth it. Though he leads the AL in strikeouts, Price enters the All-Star break with a 4.64 ERA through 18 starts, while his 15.5 percent home run-fly ball rate is the highest of his career. He's shown flashes of his old self, but that's not nearly enough to satisfy the pitching-starved Red Sox.

NL Disappointing Player: Andrew McCutchen

Hard as it is to believe, Andrew McCutchen - the former MVP with the career 140 OPS+ - has somehow turned into the third-best outfielder in Pittsburgh. Between his newfound strikeout woes, waning walk numbers, and career-worst 20.9 percent soft-contact rate, McCutchen owns just a .722 OPS with 0.4 WAR through 80 games, providing less value in 2016 than Johnny Giavotella.

AL Breakout Player: Sanchez, Bradley Jr.

After two marginal seasons in the big leagues that showed glimpses of greatness, Aaron Sanchez has finally put it all together. The 23-year is 9-1 with a 2.94 ERA, a first half that most felt was All-Star worthy. As for Jackie Bradley Jr., he's become the outfielder Boston has been waiting for. Both his average and power numbers are up, and he's more patient at the plate, making him a staple in baseball's best offense.

NL Breakout Player: Jake Lamb

The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't had the type of season they expected when they acquired Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller, but Jake Lamb has made himself untouchable in trade talks. In his third big-league season, the 25-year-old is hitting the cover off the ball, batting .293/.371/.625 with 20 home runs - good for sixth in the NL - and 61 RBIs.

AL Top Manager: Terry Francona

NL Top Manager: Split vote