MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL MVP candidates through July
By Josh Sippie
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The AL MVP race is not so easy to maintain as the NL MVP race. Whereas the National League has about eight guys in contention, the Junior Circuit has darn near twenty, and July gave the contenders a major shake-up.
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For starters, Miguel Cabrera has hit the disabled list and has fallen off this list, as not even he could put up numbers from the bench.
Also of note, despite the power drought that seemed to hit the National League, the American League was not so affected.
Alex Rodriguez had another great month, clubbing nine home runs and driving in 16, but that will not get him into the AL MVP talk as there are far too many players doing more than him, despite the 24 home run, 61 RBI totals. If he can do it again in August however, this may be a different story.
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Prince Fielder took a tumble out of the top five. He is still having a phenomenal year, hitting .330 with 15 home runs and 59 RBIs, but his power numbers can not stand up to some people on this list.
Kendrys Morales is making a bold claim to be considered in the AL MVP race as he drove in 24 runs this month to take over second place in the league in RBIs. However, being a designated hitter, you have to put up extraordinary numbers to enter the MVP talk and he just has not been doing that.
David Ortiz also kicked it into gear this month to the delight of the Boston faithful, but he is still a ways out from being considered.
Anyway, lets get started.
Next: Number 5