MLB Awards: Dark Horse MVP Candidates

Oct 4, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays fans hold up "MVP" signs for third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) (not pictured) while he is up to bat during the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays fans hold up "MVP" signs for third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) (not pictured) while he is up to bat during the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Goldschmidt

Projected Stats: .291/.401/.530, 30 HR, 92 RBI, 14 SB, 5.3 WAR

Goldy is by no means a sleeper or dark horse at all. It’s his team that is. The stats they are projecting for him are a joke, really. Last year, he hit .321 with 33 HR and 110 RBI, which he has sustained for multiple years now. To assume that his batting average and RBI would fall off is asinine.

Goldschmidt is a star in this league. His team made great moves this offseason, and now they have good pitching along with their great lineup. Along with Pollock, Goldschmidt will lead the best lineup in the NL West. His projected batting average will rise. Expect that to be over .300 and even above .310. His RBI will rise, too, probably to 110+.

Next: Scouting the top pitching prospects

It all depends on his team. If the Diamondbacks can get to a Wild Card, at the least, Goldschmidt will closely rival Harper for the MVP. There’s nothing more to say about Goldy, really. He is already a super star, but his team is holding him back. If his team makes the leap, Goldy will make the leap in MVP voting.