MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL MVP candidates through June

5. Josh Donaldson, TOR

.286/.398/.566, 66 R, 19 HR, 53 RBI, 5 SB, 155 wRC+, 4.3 fWAR

At first, the reigning AL MVP didn’t really seem like he wanted to hold on to the award. Much like the Toronto Blue Jays offense in general, Josh Donaldson endured somewhat of a tepid beginning to the season. By the end of May, he owned a .256/.355/.517 slash line, considerably below the high standard he set last year.

The third baseman caught fire in June, however, slashing .368/.487/.705 with six homers and 24 RBI. The hot month has raised his overall line to .286/.398/.566, which is very close to his 2015 production. In fact, his .964 OPS is .025 points higher than last season’s, and his 155 wRC+ is one point higher. Donaldson has also greatly improved his walk-drawing ability, taking 53 free passes through 80 games (14.6 percent BB%). He walked 73 times all of last year (10.3 percent).

The Jays as a whole have been climbing upward as well. They’re currently 5.5 games behind in the AL East and just one game back for the second Wild Card. Their lineup has also looked much more like its high-powered self recently, and Donaldson has been a major reason why. With Jose Bautista out since June 16, that’s been a huge plus.

Donaldson’s aforementioned 155 wRC+ is presently good for seventh in MLB and second in the AL. His 4.3 WAR also places him second among all position players. Many wondered if he would be able to recreate last season’s remarkable run, and through the first two months it seemed like a bit of an MVP hangover was in effect. Those notions are long gone, though, and Donaldson looks set on being even better this year.

Next: Number 4