MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL MVP candidates thru June

4. 2B Daniel Murphy – WAS

.351/.394/.588, 47 R, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 2 SB, 158 wRC+, 2.7 WAR

While he’s no longer hitting .397 like at the end of May, Daniel Murphy still leads the NL with his .351 batting average and 104 base hits.

It’s not Bryce Harper who is keeping this offense afloat right now, so Murphy’s production for the first place Washington Nationals cannot be overlooked or under-valued at this point in time.

After previously spending his entire career for the rival Mets, the Nats are getting a lot of bang for the buck right now in Murphy’s $8 million salary through 2016.

Never known to be a player with powerful traits, Murphy has already tied his personal best for taters in a season with 14 and his slugging percentage of .588 as well as OPS .982 ranks second in the NL. Much to the detriment of the Mets and the delight of the Nationals, the 31-year-old Murphy is having a career year.

Next: Number 3