MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL MVP candidates through April

5. Hanley Ramirez – .293 BA, 10 HR, 22 RBI

Apr 29, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) hits a two run home run off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey (not pictured) during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Hanley Ramirez inked with the Sox over the winter, returning to the organization where he played minor league ball. Boston has been quite pleased with the homecoming so far, as the shortstop-turned-outfielder has provided the heart-of-the-order presence they hoped he would. Ramirez is currently tied (with the next player on this list) for the league lead in homers (10) and RBI (22).

His .999 OPS is seventh-best in the AL, and his name can be found within the top 10 of a host of other offensive categories. Flanked by David Ortiz and Pablo Sandoval, Hanley will continue to have an abundance of support in the Red Sox lineup, so it’s easy to see him producing at a high rate throughout the course of the season.

Next: Nelson Cruz