MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL MVP candidates through May

3. 1B Adrian Gonzalez – .339 BA, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 2.6 WAR

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, Adrian Gonzalez hit five home runs in his first three games, setting fans up for a letdown once he came back down to earth — and he has, hitting only five additional homers in his last 46 contests — but he’s still doing special things for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Despite Clayton Kershaw not being dialed in like he was last season yet and injuries to Carl Crawford and Yasiel Puig causing the two to miss substantial time so far in the outfield, the Dodgers still find themselves in first place in the NL West. The Giants are creeping up on them, so the hope is that an improving Kershaw and a healthy outfield can help separate them from the pack.

Gonzalez ranks top 10 in the NL for home runs, RBI, batting average and OPS. He’s looking a lot like his former self from 2011 with the Boston Red Sox. That season, Gonzalez finished seventh in AL MVP voting and cleaned up all-around during awards season with a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and his last All-Star appearance.

After a three year hiatus from the Midsummer Classic, A-Gon looks like he has a strong chance to appear at the 2015 festivities once again, this time at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH.

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