Ranking Top 5 AL Manager of the Year Candidates Entering September

The 2015 MLB season has been full of surprises. In the American League, for example, there are a number of teams doing well that weren't necessarily expected to. Typically, managers get at least some of the credit for their team's success. Heading into the final month of the season, here are five skippers who should have a good chance to take home the 2015 AL Manager of the Year award.

5. Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins

Taking over for the popular Ron Gardenhire, Paul Molitor has done a fantastic job with the Minnesota Twins this season. Few expected the Twins to be sitting just a half-game out of a Wild Card spot at this point, and Molitor should be a solid candidate to win Manager of the Year for the role he has played in the turnaround.

4. Joe Girardi, New York Yankees

Back in Spring Training, expectations for the New York Yankees were quite low. It was the first season of the post Derek Jeter-era, and they hadn't been to the postseason since 2012. Plus, many felt that this team was quickly getting old with players such as CC Sabathia, Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira and, of course, Alex Rodriguez. Nevertheless, the Yankees currently find themselves in the top AL Wild Card spot. Joe Girardi won an NL Manager of the Year award with the Florida Marlins back in 2006, and he should have a chance to win one of the AL variety this year.

3. John Gibbons, Toronto Blue Jays

Heading into the 2015 campaign, many expected big things from the Toronto Blue Jays after the additions of Russell Martin and Josh Donaldson, but things started out a tad slowly. However, this team has been incredibly hot in the second half after trading for Troy Tulowitzki and David Price. Right now, the Blue Jays are in first place in the AL East and appear poised to reach the postseason for the first time since 1993. Now in the third year of his second stint as the Blue Jays' skipper, it would certainly be a nice story if John Gibbons wins AL Manager of the Year.

2. Jeff Banister, Texas Rangers

After finishing last season with an AL-worst record of 67-95 and losing Yu Darvish for the year back in Spring Training, things weren't looking good for the Texas Rangers at the beginning of the year. However, they now find themselves in sole possession of the second AL Wild Card spot under first-year manager Jeff Banister. With a strong late-season push, Banister could be as strong of a candidate as any.

1. A.J. Hinch, Houston Astros

In his first managerial job since being fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks midway through 2010, A.J. Hinch has led a Houston Astros club that is currently in first place in the AL West with a record of 71-57. The Astros haven't had a winning season since 2008 and haven't been to the postseason since 2005, and they are truly the feel-good story of this season. Hinch should have a great chance to be the next AL Manager of the Year.