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