MLB: Top Five AL MVP Candidates For September

2B Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

Fangraphs WAR: 6.7

Baseball-Reference WAR: 7.2

Combined WAR: 7.0

WPA: 2.9

592 PA, 94 R, 22 HR, 89 RBI, 26 SB, .351/.411/.567, 162 wRC+

Currently, there is only one player in the American League who is in the top five in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. That player is Jose Altuve. He’s first in average, second in on-base percentage, and third in slugging percentage. He’s also second in the league in stolen bases. He could easily move up on this list of MVP candidates before the season is over.

Altuve has been consistently good all year long, but especially good in the second half. He’s hit .371/.406/.617 since the All-Star break, with a 176 wRC+ that is second to only one player in the American League (who is still to come on this list). Altuve has also done a great job of adding power to his repertoire, already blowing past last year’s career high of 15 home runs. He’s hit 17 of his 22 home runs to left field, but he’s not a product of Minute Maid Park. He’s been a better hitter overall on the road, where he is currently sporting a .411/.472/.625 batting line.

One area where Altuve has struggled a bit is baserunning. He’s stealing bases at a good clip (26 of 33, 79%), but his aggressiveness on the basepaths has cost the team. Then there’s this botched attempt at a triple that would have allowed Altuve to hit for the cycle on June 25.

Still, that’s quibbling. Altuve has had an amazing season and is on the same tier as the next player on this list.

Next: Number Three