MLB: Top 5 NL MVP Candidates For September

4. Anthony Rizzo

The Chicago Cubs have been by far the best team in baseball all year long. They have been such a great team because of many talented players throughout the lineup. The team as a whole has been the reason behind their triumphant season, but two players in particular have fueled their strong run. The first player is first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Rizzo, like Arenado and all the others on this list, has a great reputation defensively. He’s helped out by being surrounded by the best defensive infield in all of baseball, but he has looked very good at the cool corner this season.

What Rizzo is best known for is his power left handed bat in the middle of the Cubs’ powerful lineup. Rizzo is hitting .292/.388/.545 with 26 home runs and a wRC+ of 146. He has provided power in the middle of the lineup, and driven in a large amount of runs. Not only that, but he also excels at plate vision. He has walked 11.4 percent of the time, while only striking out 15.6 percent. His ability to hit for power while shying away from high strikeout numbers makes him incredibly valuable.

Not only does Rizzo have his 2016 season on his side, but he’s the only top 5 MVP candidate from last season putting up similar numbers. Season to season statistics shouldn’t, and most likely don’t, play into how voters decide who is deserving of the award, but it doesn’t hurt that Rizzo has been so consistent. Being possibly the only player on this list considered a veteran, outside of maybe Daniel Murphy, could give him an edge over the field in the minds of some voters.

Not only is Rizzo more experienced, but he’s been this consistently good since he started playing for the Cubs. In all three seasons since 2014, Rizzo has posted a wRC+ over 145. Now he’s providing that strong offensive contribution to a very good team. That’s a recipe for MVP vote-getting success.

Next: The Batting Average Champ