Vote: National League MVP for the season’s first half

Jul 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hits a single in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2014 stats: .308/.400/.549, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 162 OPS+, wRC+ 159, wOBA .407

Goldschmidt could potentially suffer the same fate this year as he did last year: finishing second in the MVP race because his team is unlikely to make the postseason. Won’t detract me from having him on my list. He’s in the top ten in all three slashline categories, ranking 9th, 3rd, and 3rd in those three respectively.

Here’s the other particulars:

HR: T8th
RBI: 3rd
OPS+: 3rd
wRC+: 4th
wOBA: 3rd

In looking at all of these numbers, it’s hard to argue that Goldschmidt doesn’t belong among these five.