MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL MVP candidates through July
By Josh Sippie
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