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MLB Awards Watch: Top Five NL MVP Candidates Through July

By Brody Hilgenkamp

Aug 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) rounds the bases in front of Oakland Athletics second baseman Max Muncy (12) on a solo home run during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) rounds the bases in front of Oakland Athletics second baseman Max Muncy (12) on a solo home run during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

Bryant leads the NL in Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball-Reference at 5.2. He also leads the league in runs (83), is tied for first in offensive WAR (4.5), tied for second in home runs (27), fifth in adjusted on-base plus slugging (OPS+, 147), fifth in weighted runs created plus (wRC+, 147) and tied for sixth in weighted on-base average (.393).

While Bryant is among the league leaders in many important offensive categories, it’s his defensive value that puts him into serious contention for the MVP lead. Bryant has been one of the most versatile defensive assets in baseball—his biggest competitor for that title is his teammate, Ben Zobrist. Bryant’s athleticism has allowed him to thrive while playing multiple positions, something other talented third basemen have struggled to do.

Among NL third basemen who have played at least 400 innings, Bryant is fifth in Ultimate Zone Runs (5.4) and Defensive Runs Above Average (DEF, 6.3) according to Fangraphs. But Bryant has also played 278.1 innings in left field, 93 in right field and 26.1 at first base. Among outfielders who have played at least 300 innings, Bryant is 11th in UZR (4.5). Considering only left fielders who have played at least 250 innings, Bryant is second in DEF (2.2) and third in UZR (3.7).

Also working in Bryant’s favor is his consistency: his lowest OPS for any month this season was his .860 for the month of May. His OPS is .794 since the All-Star break, but two more consistent months to end the season will keep him at the front of the race.

Next: The talented rookie

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