MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL MVP candidates thru May
Through the first two months of the season, MLB awards watch time is beginning to pick up some steam. With 2/3 of the season to go, here are your top contenders in the running right now for the American League’s Most Valuable Player.
Much like defending MVP Bryce Harper in the NL, Toronto’s Josh Donaldson had a great April followed by a so-so May. Donaldson hit .292 with eight home runs and 20 RBI in the season’s opening month, but fell to a .224 clip with five taters and nine runs driven in during May.
The Blue Jays’ inconsistent play shows just how important Donaldson’s performance is to his team as well. In wins this season, he’s gone deep 10 times and has a BA of .287 with an OPS of 1.033. In losses, only three home runs with a .224 BA and a dismal OPS of .688 proves the club depends mightily on his bat.
You’re not going to see a pitcher appear on this list like in the NL version, but Chris Sale might be worthy of a fighter’s chance at being the American League’s first pitching MVP since Justin Verlander in 2011.
Next: Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Jackie Bradley Jr. – BOS – .331/.409/.601, 28 R, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 3 SB, wRC+ 170, 2.5 WAR
Now that the 29 game hit streak has come to an end, one has to think Bradley — a career .281 hitter in Triple-A — will cool off some. He had a tremendous May, but the 26-year-old will be outclassed by a number of superior AL bats over the course of six month long season.
Xander Bogaerts – BOS – .350/.401/.516-42-6-30-7, wRC+ 154, 2.7 WAR
Leading all AL hitters in batting average entering June, the Aruban is trending towards being a .300 career hitter after finishing off 2015 with a sharp .320 BA. He and JBJ look real good right now, but don’t count out teammate Mookie Betts either. Betts is third in the AL in RBI and tied for third in home runs after swatting five in his last two contests.
Eric Hosmer – KCR – .330/.376/.553-30-10-35-4, wRC+ 151, 1.4 WAR
In his sixth full season as a pro, the 26-year-old Hosmer looks to finally have found his power stroke. In 2011 as a rookie, he hit 19 — a career high. Through less than 200 ABs in 2016, he’s already half way to that mark and has ignited a Royals lineup in late May that are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Miguel Cabrera – DET – .304/.380/.550-29-12-32-0, wRC+ 150, 1.9 WAR
Miggy can still swing the stick at 33. The two-time MVP is off to a great start in 2016. Detroit might need to be more competitive for him to gain real consideration, though fellow Tigers Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez could also be in contention.
Next: Number 5
5. Jose Altuve – HOU
.327/.403/.550-41-9-31-15, wRC+ 160, 3.1 WAR
The 5-foot-6 Jose Altuve is packing a lot of pop in his swing these days. Second on the Astros in home runs and RBI, he’s the frontrunner when it comes to OPS, SLG and total bases.
He hasn’t shelved his speed, either, as Altuve’s 15 stolen bases leads the American League and his runs scored are the fourth most.
While Houston may be struggling right now, Altuve certainly is not. Already a three-time All-Star who has twice appeared on MVP ballots, 2014’s batting champion looks like he’s having his best season yet in terms of overall production.
Next: Number 4
4. Robinson Cano – SEA
.291/.352/.583-36-15-45-0, wRC+ 157, 2.6
If you ask any number of Mariners fans, most will tell you Seattle did not get their monies worth from Robinson Cano in 2014 or 2015. Though an All-Star in ’14, he failed to hit 15 home runs or drive in 90 base runners.
Then last season, his average dropped 27 points from where it was in ’14 and his first half splits were terrible, with a .251-6-30 batting line.
Cano appears to be on track for his best season yet as a Mariner in 2016. His 15 taters tie him for second most in the AL, as do his 45 RBI. His power stroke has awoken from a slumber that dates back to 2012 with the Yankees, the last time he hit more than 30 round trippers. His current pace should allow for that to come to fruition again and his play has Seattle atop the AL West.
Next: Number 3
3. Manny Machado – BAL
.317/.389/.614-38-13-29-0, wRC+ 166, 3.3 WAR
In terms of stepping up for his club, no one has risen to the occasion more than Manny Machado for his Baltimore Orioles. He slid over to shortstop once J.J. Hardy landed on the DL and has filled in admirably.
Machado is already one of the best overall athletes in the game today, as exhibited in his WAR number that leads all American League hitters through May.
A true high-rate of contact hitter capable of hitting for power on a regular basis as well, Machado’s mantle will be stocked full with trophies and plaques by the time his playing career is over if he stays healthy. The 23-year-old is due for a large pay raise in the near future.
Next: Number 2
2. David Ortiz – BOS
.335/.416/.716-26-14-47-1, wRC+ 201, 2.5 WAR
No full-time designated hitter has ever won an MVP award. It’s tough to factor in a players overall value to the team when he contributes next to nothing on defense. But this year, Big Papi might be an exception.
No player 40 or older has ever won an MVP, either. David Ortiz has clearly been the best player on baseball’s best offense through two months of the season. First in RBI, OPS and total bases, he’s even contending for a batting title right now with an average that ranks third in the AL.
Amongst his peers, Big Papi is an aging veteran in terms of experience. In terms of ability, he’s the best overall hitter in the game right now and Red Sox fans have lofty expectations with Ortiz leading the way. Boston ranks first in team BA (.296), OPS (.856) and RBI (305). It’s really not even close in any of those categories. Only Seattle has hit more home runs as a team, but Boston’s 942 total bases are 170 more than the second place Tigers.
Next: Number 1
1. Mike Trout – LAA
.318/.419/.573-38-12-40-7, wRC+ 167, 2.9 WAR
Mike Trout continues to produce, despite playing for a bad Angels team with a lack of talent surrounding him. While Albert Pujols is hitting .230, Trout has picked up the slack and leads his team in virtually all hitting categories.
From an AL standpoint, he’s in the top 15 in nearly almost every major statistical category, and he’s stealing more bases in 2016 as well. With seven right now and having been caught stealing only once, he’s well on his way to besting 2015’s output of 11.
Related Story: David Ortiz & the 5 best seasons by hitters 40+ yrs old
Trout’s day-in-day-out consistency feels like it’s starting to be taken for granted somewhat by baseball fans. If Los Angeles were ever to think about trading him to replenish their farm system, they could easily get a king’s ransom.
We aren’t just witnessing the development of a great baseball player by following Trout’s career — MLB fans are privileged to be watching what could very well be the greatest player of all-time — one that hasn’t even celebrated his 25th birthday yet.
Next: Top 5 NL MVP candidates through May
For any player since 1920 in their aged 20 through 24 seasons, Trout’s career WAR outpaces all who came before him. Mickey Mantle comes in second. The thing is, Trout still has four months to go in his age 24 season.