MLB Awards: Top 5 AL MVP Candidates Through June

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Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The AL MVP race is not so easy to maintain as the NL MVP race. Whereas the National League has about eight guys in contention, the Junior Circuit has darn near twenty, and July gave the contenders a major shake-up.

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For starters, Miguel Cabrera has hit the disabled list and has fallen off this list, as not even he could put up numbers from the bench.

Also of note, despite the power drought that seemed to hit the National League, the American League was not so affected.

Alex Rodriguez had another great month, clubbing nine home runs and driving in 16, but that will not get him into the AL MVP talk as there are far too many players doing more than him, despite the 24 home run, 61 RBI totals. If he can do it again in August however, this may be a different story.

5. J.D. Martinez

Jul 21, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) celebrates his two run home run in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

J.D. Martinez is actually managing to help the Detroit Tigers cope with life without Miguel Cabrera. The former Astros product put up superb July numbers, hitting .320 with 8 home runs and 20 RBIs. He only managed an honorable mention in last months list, but when you put up numbers like that, you are going to move up.

On the season now, Martinez has a stoic 28 home runs (3rd), 68 RBIs (6th) and .900 OPS (6th).

The once-released right fielder is establishing himself as a dominant hitter in Major League baseball. The Tigers turned over a gem when they picked him up. Surely they could not have fathomed that he would be putting up near-Miggy numbers.

Next: Number 4

4. Mark Teixeira

Jul 24, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) hits a single in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees first baseman was having a respectable year until he hit July. Now he is having a fantastic year.

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Tex put up 9 home runs and 19 RBIs in the month as well as 1.146 OPS and .333 batting average. Tex has always been one of the best first basemen in the game and he is reasserting his claim to that ‘throne’ yet again this season.

For the year, Tex has 28 home runs and 73 RBIs, the latter of which is second in the league, the former of which is third. His .954 OPS is fourth in the league as well. His .266 average leaves a bit to be desired, but everything else makes up for it.

Helping Tex’s cause is the fact that the Yankees are topping the AL East and as long as their first baseman is right in the middle of that lineup, he is going to remain at least in the conversation for AL MVP.

Next: Number 3

3. Nelson Cruz

Jul 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Seattle Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson continues to hit. Even though July was not his best power month, as he managed just 8 home runs and 17 RBIs, he continued his fantastic hitting with a .336 average,

Nelson Cruz has rebounded from his steroid suspension masterfully and it is easy to forget that he was even suspended in the first place.

The Mariners right fielder is putting up quite the line this season, hitting .316 with 28 home runs and 64 RBIs. His .956 OPS is also good for third in the league.

Obviously the main thing holding back Cruz is the fact that he plays for the Mariners, who have not been in contention all year.

Next: Number 2

2. Josh Donaldson

Jul 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a sacrifice to advance a runner in the fifth inning against Philadelphia Phillies at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Donaldson saw his Toronto Blue Jays load up before the trade deadline slammed shut and he will benefit from that just as much as everyone else in Toronto. The rambunctious third baseman had a pretty standard, Donaldson-esque July, clubbing 7 home runs and driving in 24.

For the season, Donaldson is hitting .293 with 26 home runs and and an AL Leading 75 RBIs. Considering the fact that driving in runs is the most important part of baseball, Josh Donaldson is obviously a pretty solid candidate for AL MVP.

With Miguel Cabrera hitting the DL, Donaldson figures to be in a two-man footrace for the AL MVP with the guy that can do everything.

Next: Number 1

1. Mike Trout

August 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) on deck before hitting in the seventh inning against Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Trout does everything. He was the guy I mentioned on the previous slide, in case you were wondering. July was just another month that was forced to bow to Trout’s prestige. The Angel’s glorious child hit 12 home runs and drove in 24 in the month while hitting a stern .367.

Trout has 32 home runs on the year and leads all of the majors in doing so. His 67 RBIs are also potent as can be and his 1.038 OPS tops the AL as well.

Just in case that was not enough, Mike Trout is also the best defensive outfielder in the league and he steals bases as well, 10 in fact. However, if Mike Trout would not hit the ball so hard and only manage to make it to first base, he would no doubt steal more.

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