MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL MVP candidates through June

July 1, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) rounds the bases after he hits a solo home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

With another month of the season in the books, we are a month clearer to understanding who should be the MVP of each individual league. The overall crop for the AL MVP candidates has not necessarily changed too much, but their are some newcomers making a dead sprint for the award.

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Manny Machado absolutely raked in June, clubbing 8 home runs and driving in 22 with a batting average of .365. However, while the young third baseman is sneaking into the AL MVP conversation, he is not quite there yet. His .303 average with 16 home runs and 44 RBIs is something to pay attention to, however, and no doubt should he put up July numbers anywhere near his June numbers, he will be in the conversation come next edition of the MVP watch.

Another player who made a strong statement in June is J.D. Martinez, who put up a league leading 26 RBIs in the month along with 11 home runs and a .290 average. That puts his yearly numbers at 20 home runs and 48 RBIs. Pretty impressive, J.D., but that .281 average still leaves a bit to be desired.

The three-time MVP Albert Pujols is also making a bold run for his fourth overall and first AL MVP. The former Cardinal slugger clubbed a league leading 13 home runs in the month and added 26 RBIs and a .303 average to boot. Pujols has long been a shade of his St. Louis self but given these kinds of numbers, he may find a resurgence of belief really quick.

But none of these three June sluggers made it into the top five MVP candidates. Here are our top five candidates.

Next: Number 5

5. Prince Fielder

Jun 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) hits an RBI single in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Prince is back and even though his incredible numbers are still flying largely under the radar, those incredible numbers are still there and cannot be ignored. The big man is hitting a whopping .342 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs to accompany it. While the home runs are not where they have been in the past, Prince is still ripping the ball with extreme consistency and the only thing keeping him at No. 5 on this list is the fact that he is a designated hitter and does not contribute in the field.

However, that being said, his offensive contributions are the predominant powering force behind the Texas Rangers and any chance they think they have of success. The Rangers did make a pretty good run in the division but disappeared almost as quickly as they had reappeared.

Don’t count the Rangers out just yet, however, not with Cecil’s little boy anchoring the team.

Next: Number 4

4. Nelson Cruz

Jul 1, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) hits a two run home run during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

I was completely off of Nelson Cruz’s boat when he got caught using steroids, but he has proven me wrong in every sense of the word. This year, Nelson Cruz is raking to the tune of a .307 average, 20 home runs and 48 RBIs. That .307 average is higher than Cruz has had since 2010 and a huge testament to the work he has put in to reestablish himself.

Nelson Cruz is to the Mariners what Miggy is to the Tigers and what Prince is to the Rangers – the anchor, the power core and the force that drives that lineup. However, the Mariners are not faring that well and Nelson Cruz is not capable of lifting them himself.

Next: Number 3

Josh Donaldson

Jun 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) holds himself up after chasing a foul ball during the second inning in a game against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

When you think of the Blue Jays power core, you think of Joey Bats and the man with the huge last name, Edwin Encarnacion, but this year, the Blue Jays made a savvy pick up in trading to acquire Josh Donaldson.

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The ball-impaling third baseman is hitting the best he has hit in his entire career, with a .302 average, 19 home runs and 51 RBIs. If he keeps up this pace he will absolutely shatter his career marks and set a new standard for himself.

Typically, third base is a tough place to stand out in, as a lot of the great power hitters in the league suit up at third base, but Josh Donaldson has become the premier name at the hot corner, and that’s saying something. The only things keeping Donaldson out of the top AL MVP spot is a phenomenal five-tool player and the greatest hitter of the decade.

Next: Number 2

2. Mike Trout

Jun 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (27) reacts after scoring a run against the Oakland Athletics in the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Trout is a special kid. At 23 years of age, there has never been any doubt that he was going to be great. And by going to be great, I mean he is great.

Look at Mike Trout’s stats. The guy has not had an off year. His off year was last year where he succumbed to a .287 batting average. I can think of hundreds of thousands of players that would kill for that average and for Trout it was an off year. However, he remedied that atrocious average with a career high 111 RBIs, earning himself his first of many AL MVPs.

This year, Trout is right back on track as the premium candidate to upset Miguel Cabrera‘s perennial MVP throne. The youngster is hitting .303 with 21 home runs and 44 RBIs. He is on pace to match if not topple his marks set last year and if he does, how can he not be AL MVP?

Not only that, but Trout is the best defensive outfielder that we have been privileged to see since Ken Griffey Jr. The kid robs home runs like it is a normal thing. It is not a normal thing.

Next: Number 1