MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL MVP candidates through April

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Last year marked the first time since 2011 a pitcher was awarded an MVP when the Tigers’ Justin Verlander won it and the first time a National League pitcher took home the hardware since Bob Gibson of the Cardinals won it back in 1968.

2014 was the 11th time overall a player won both MVP and Cy Young privileges and Clayton Kershaw was the third Dodger to do so after Sandy Koufax in 1963 and Don Newcombe before him in 1956.

Though Kershaw’s season was special, a lot of people take exception to a pitcher winning the award because most of them appear in a fraction of regular games by comparison to position players. It’s not a sure thing, but Kershaw sweeping the major awards podium was likely aided by the injury suffered to Giancarlo Stanton on September 11 when he was struck in the face with a pitch by Mike Fiers.

Stanton appeared to be the favorite at that point, but he subsequently missed the Miami Marlins’ 17 final games after having appeared in every single one to that point. Stanton still led the NL in home runs (37), slugging percentage (.555) and total bases (299).

The sluggers biggest shortcoming was his unavailability for the final stretch of regular season games and the fact his team as a whole was much worse than Kershaw’s Dodgers. The Marlins finished only 77-85, but would have been justifiably worse were it not for Stanton’s contributions all season long. His WAR of 6.5 was the second highest amongst position players in the NL following Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy.

With the month of May still fresh in the calendar, it should be worth noting that the Marlins’ Dee Gordon is the only player who qualifies hitting above .400, with 109 at-bats registered. His power numbers obviously lack, but because after 26 games he is still above the hallowed mark, Gordon deserves honorable mention.

Other honorable mentions: CIN Joey Votto (.330-7-17) and PIT Starling Marte (.264-7-18)

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