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

Jul 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) singles against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
2014 stats: .324/.420/.575, 17 HR, 61 RBI, 179 OPS+, 179 wRC+, .427 wOBA

Last year’s NL MVP looks like he wants the hardware again. He’s certainly producing as if he does.

And here’s something that might get swept under the rug and shouldn’t. While on defense, Cutch has a couple of young guys flanking him (Starling Marte in his second full season and rookie Gregory Polanco). His veteran leadership skills are now more on display.

The rankings…

BA: 3rd
OBP: 2nd
SLG: 2nd
HR: 6th
RBI: 2nd
OPS+: 1st
wRC+: 1st
wOBA: 2nd

Wow. Cutch’s lowest rank in these categories is 6th? Seems like he’s even performing better than he did last season.

In case you’re wondering, the last NL player to win back-to-back MVPs was Albert Pujols in 2008-09.