2. Mike Trout
Sep 13, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) watches the ball clear the fence on a solo home run in the first inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
In most other years, Mike Trout would be an easy choice to win his second consecutive AL MVP award at the tender age of 24. Even with the impressive credentials of his main rival for the prize, you could still put together a very convincing argument that Trout was once again the most valuable force in his league.
He led the AL in WAR for an astonishing fourth straight year with a 9.4 rating. He missed just three games this season (he’s only been absent for 13 over the past three years) and put up a .299/.402/.590 slash line with 41 home runs and 90 RBI. His 176 OPS+ was the highest in the American League. And he continues to be more than just a potent bat, routinely making highlight reel plays in center field.
In either case, Trout will earn his fourth consecutive top-two finish in the AL MVP vote. It’s almost scary to think how many pieces of hardware this guy is going to have by the time he calls it a career.
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