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MLB: Top 5 NL MVP Candidates For September

By Ryan Schultz

Aug 23, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (R) congratulates third baseman Kris Bryant (17) after Bryant hit a solo home run during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (R) congratulates third baseman Kris Bryant (17) after Bryant hit a solo home run during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Daniel Murphy

Daniel Murphy started getting attention during the 2015 postseason when he suddenly started hitting like a maniac, helping the New York Mets reach the World Series. When he hit free agency following the Mets’ loss in the World Series to the Royals, many thought he was bound for regression when the 2016 season started. The Nationals decided that he was worth a three-year deal averaging $12.5 million taking him from their division rival.

Murphy not only didn’t regress, he got arguably even better. This season he’s hitting .341/.385/.598 with 25 home runs and a 155 wRC+. His average of .341 is second best in the league, behind only DJ LeMahieu of the Rockies. The lack of separation between his OBP and average shows that he hasn’t walked a whole lot (6.1 percent BB rate), but a .385 on-base percentage is still very good.

With teammate Bryce Harper having a very disappointing season, Murphy has been the player to step up and lead the Nationals offense. He’s been helped out by Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon along with the recent addition of Trea Turner, but the motor that has kept the Nationals offense going has been Daniel Murphy.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about Daniel Murphy’s 2016 season has been the increase in power in his bat. Before this season, Murphy’s highest ISO in Major League Baseball was .168 in the 2015 season. This year, he is sitting at .257, which is top ten in the National League. His OPS has also risen from .771 in 2015 to .983 this season.

Murphy hasn’t been stagnant in the field due to injuries around the Nationals infield, but he has shown some good versatility because of it. While Anthony Rendon was out with an injury, Murphy took over at third base and was passable there. When Rendon returned, the young Trea Turner was in his place at second base, so Murphy headed over to first base where he’s been good as well. Perhaps lack of consistency defensively will push voters away, but regardless of what he’s done on defense his offensive acumen is plenty good enough to finish top three in MVP voting.

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