MLB Awards: Top 5 NL MVP Candidates Through July

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Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

With the end of July comes the end of the trade deadline and while no NL MVP candidates were given the ol’ heave-ho, a lot of teams shook up their lineup and built around some potential NL MVP candidates.

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The all-star break robbed us of a handful of days and as such, power numbers were down, but that effected everyone equally.

The month of July saw two long-time NL MVP candidates from years past burst back onto the scene and remind everyone that they are still relevant and they deserve to be noticed.

The first of which is Joey Votto. In the month of July, the Red’s first baseman hit .405 with five home runs and 13 RBIs. While his season totals still do not beg for any NL MVP recognition, not to mention he plays for a non-contender like the Cincinatti Reds, Votto was an NL MVP for the month of July, and there is something in that, albeit not much.

Carlos Gonzalez re-emerged as well after a very sub-par season and while a trade seemed likely, with the Rockies he will remain. CarGo absolutely demolished with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs in the month to go along with a .386 batting average. His season totals got a major kick upwards as he now has 21 home runs but he has work to do and playing on the Rockies is not doing him any favors.

5. Todd Frazier

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; National League third baseman Todd Frazier (21) of the Cincinnati Reds plays the field during the third inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Frazier has been having a good year all around and the Home Run Derby extravaganza helped to fortify that. He is really starting to emerge as one of the premier hitters in Major League Baseball.

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The Reds’ third baseman had a bit of a down July, however, just like a lot of others on this list. He did manage two home runs and 13 RBIs throughout the month, however.

His stats did not need a lot of help. Frazier is still rocking 27 home runs, tied for second most in the league, and 67 RBIs, tied for fourth most. His OPS is good for 8th in the league as well.

Todd Frazier’s biggest obstacle to being considered is the jersey he wears. As we will see with the next guy on this list, playing on a non-contender essentially makes you a non-contender for NL MVP. However with the stats they are putting up, they have to at least enter the conversation.

Next: Number 4

4. Nolan Arenado

Jul 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) throws to first base during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Arenado may have had a stinker month of July in which he only managed a single solitary home run and 10 RBIs, but the overall picture of what this young man is doing screams NL MVP candidate.

Nolan Arenado is the face of the Rockies with the dismissal of Troy Tulowitzki and they are in good hands. Arenado’s stats for the month still see him on top of the league with 80 RBI’s. His 26 home runs are fourth in the league despite the down month and while his .278 average leaves room for improvement, it will suffice given the rest of Arenado’s contributions.

The Rockies’ man is also tied for third in doubles, tied for fourth in triples and seventh in OPS.

The only real problem that is keeping Arenado on the back part of this list is the same that is plaguing Todd Frazier, he plays for the Rockies and we all know how often non-contending team’s stars get voted MVP.

Next: Number 3

3. Buster Posey

Jul 26, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits a single against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Buster Posey is a talented guy and the first on this list to play on a contending team, which is a factor in his favor. Another of the main factors is the consistency that the San Fran backstop shows. Since April, Posey has not hit under .300. He continues to go to work and put up solid numbers.

July was no different, as Posey hit a very stout .400 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. That brings his season total up to .324, 14 home runs and 67 RBIs. I believe I said the same thing last month, but while those numbers are impressive enough, when you consider that they are from the catcher position, they are even more impressive. His defensive contribution has to be noted as well.

When you are the best catcher, with it being such a tough position to man, you are almost automatically considered in the NL MVP race.

Next: Number 2

2. Paul Goldschmidt

Jul 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a single against the Houston Astros in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Goldy is a guy that rarely ever gets noticed and it is a crying shame. He is one of the best hitters in the game today and he is constantly at or near the top of the league in nearly every statistical category.

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The month of July was business as usual. Goldschmidt hit .333 with two home runs and 12 RBIs. That brings his season totals now to a massive .346 batting average with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs. He also has the second highest OPS in the league at 1.061.

Goldschmidt is simply the best first baseman in the game. It is hard to make a name for yourself at a position where nearly all of the big-time hitters in the league make their name, but the Arizona man has done it. Perhaps the most underrated part of his game is his base running, as Goldy has 17 stolen bases as well, far more than any other potential MVP candidate.

While last month he was number one on this list, it was hard to put him over who did hit the top spot.

Next: Number 1

1. Bryce Harper

Jul 28, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs down the first base line after hitting into a double play during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

I had questioned early on in the season whether or not Bryce Harper could continue to do what he was doing consistently. Well, he can. Harper is a phenomenal athlete and quickly establishing himself as one of the best talents baseball has seen in awhile.

The 22-year old was back at in July, hitting .300 with 5 home runs and 10 RBIs. His season totals are impossible to beat: the highest OPS in the league at 1.135, the second highest batting average at .332, the most home runs at 29, and the fourth most RBIs at 68.

Not only that, but Harper is a great defender with a superb arm as well. He is the entire package and he is going to be in the MVP talk for another decade and then some.