MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL MVP candidates through May

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Four weeks ago, the top list of contenders for an MLB awards watch in the National League’s MVP race looked like this. Quite a bit has changed with some player’s having had spectacular May’s.

Giancarlo Stanton‘s power was still evident last month. He clubbed nine home runs and drove in 23, but he hit only .185 in May and got on-base at a rate consistently lower than .300. Of course, his Miami Marlins going 10-19 in the month and firing yet another manager probably did not do much for clubhouse serenity, but Stanton is tied for the Major League lead in whiffs (70) at the dish with notorious names like Chris Davis and Chris Carter who place little emphasis on contact hitting for average.

But then again, the two Chris’s don’t have a propensity to leave audiences in awe regularly with mammoth moon shots like the one Stanton hit at Dodger Stadium and afterwards, this one at Marlins Park that is currently the second farthest home run hit all season by true distance according to the ESPN home run tracker. While Stanton’s showmanship is much appreciated by the fans, he’s going to need to raise his batting average (.228) up some. He is a full 39 points below his career mark. Cutting back on the strikeouts should also be a priority.

Another young player making a veteran-like impact this year deserving honorable mention is Joc Pederson. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ phenom must have fans excited. In his rookie season, he ranks inside the top 10 in NL in runs (29), home runs (14), walks (33) and OPS (.931). The center fielder has a WAR of 2.0 after only 50 games and should definitely be in the running for NL ROY honors. In terms of brute power, Pederson’s average true distance on his 14 homers have traveled farther than Stanton’s with a mark of 422 feet.

Other position player’s who are in the running but are currently being held back some by their team’s lack of overall success would have to be Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado (.289-13-37) and Reds 3B Todd Frazier (.287-16-31).

Next: Number 5