The annual Baseball Writers Association of America awards parade is under way — rookies were announced Monday, to be followed by managers, Cy Youngs and MVPs.

And just so you know, the process works this way: Only two writers from each city get a ballot. That means 32 voters for each of the four National League awards, and 28 for each of the four American League awards.

On the manager, rookie and Cy Young ballots, voters include only three names, and points are awarded on a 5-3-1 basis — five points for first place, three for second and one for third.

The MVP ballots go much deeper — 10 spots, with points awarded on this basis — 14 points for first place, nine points for second place, eight points for third place, and so on down to one point for 10th place.

And remember, only regular-season play counts. With the details out of the way, here’s one opinion:

American League MVP: 1. Dustin Pedroia, Boston; 2. Joe Mauer, Minnesota; 3. Kevin Youkilis, Boston; 4. Josh Hamilton, Texas; 5. Alex Rodriguez, New York; 6. Justin Morneau, Minnesota; 7. Grady Sizemore, Cleveland; 8. Cliff Lee, Cleveland; 9. Carlos Quentin, Chicago; 10. Frankie Rodriguez, Los Angeles

Grit, ability and leadership are all across the top of this ballot. Do you realize that only three other AL hitters had more total bases than the 5-7 Pedroia?

Mauer’s combination of skills and presence at a key position are vital to the Twins’ success. Youkilis’ ability to play both corner infield spots can’t be underrated. Hamilton’s numbers as a center fielder are enormous, and there is no better individual story of triumph this season.

National League MVP: 1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis; 2. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia; 3. Chase Utley, Philadelphia; 4. Lance Berkman, Houston; 5. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee; 6. David Wright, New York; 7. Hanley Ramirez, Florida; 8. Johan Santana, New York; 9. Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles; 10. CC Sabathia, Milwaukee

Pujols’ Cardinals were relevant until mid-September, and everything else about him screams MVP — namely hitting .357 when only four others hit better than .307.

Sorry, Ryan Howard fans, but 199 strikeouts and a .251 average are too much to overcome. Especially when teammate Chase Utley also is in the top three on the ballot, and you can make a case for Brad Lidge being in the top 10.

The half-seasons of Ramirez and Sabathia truly were remarkable, but putting them any higher takes away from the 150-plus-game contributions of others.

American League Cy Young Award: 1. Cliff Lee, Cleveland; 2. Roy Halladay; 3. Frankie Rodriguez, Los Angeles

Mark Duncan / AP It's hard to argue against Cliff Lee as the AL Cy Young winner.

There really is no strong argument against Lee, who led in wins and ERA — and you can throw in the Comeback Player of the Year Award, too.

Halladay led the league in innings, complete games (9!), was second in ERA, and tied Mike Mussina for second with 20 wins. That could win the award in some seasons.

Take your pick in the third spot — Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, Mussina. But setting a single-season save record gives Rodriguez a slight edge.

National League Cy Young Award: 1. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco; 2. Johan Santana, New York; 3. Brandon Webb, Arizona

Here’s your most-intriguing — and possibly the closest — vote. There’s nobody you’d rather watch than Lincecum, who led in strikeouts, was second in wins and ERA, and was 18-5 on a bad team that didn’t hit much, costing him a couple of more wins.

Santana won the ERA and innings pitched titles, and kept the Mets close, but his 16 wins aren’t enough for a Cy Young when the league-leader had 22.

Webb lost the award during a September slide, but still had four more wins than anybody else, and other strong numbers. Ryan Dempster, Cole Hamels and Edinson Volquez also could get votes here.