MLB Awards: 2017 American League MVP Ballot

 The American League was home to some of the more impressive performances in MLB this year. Which player deserves to take home the MVP award this year?

Every MLB award has its own value. They signify that, in whatever area, that player was the best in the game, or at the position, that season. While we may attach more significance to certain awards, each one is prestigious in its own way.

And yet, few awards capture the imagination like the MVP award. Maybe it is because of what it signifies – that the player receiving it was voted as the most valuable to his team of anyone else in the league. More often than not, it also refers to the best player in the league, although that is not always the case. Sometimes, value does not always equate to the best player in the league, leading to the age old question of what the MVP award truly signifies.

Personally, I consider the MVP award to be a vote for exactly what it says – the most valuable player in the league. Let’s face it – if the award was given to the best player in the league, we may as well keep it on Mike Trout‘s mantle for the next decade.

This year, there were quite a few worthy candidates for the award. Let us take a look at the top five players on my AL MVP ballot.

5. Mookie Betts: Boston Red Sox

Mookie Betts may not have been able to equal his coming out party from last year, but he was still a major part of the Boston Red Sox success.

Last season, Betts emerged as one of the top MLB players. He finished second in the MVP award and won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, producing a .318/.363/.534 batting line with 31 homers and 26 steals. That is an impressive season for anyone, let alone a 23 year old.

This year, Betts’ numbers took a step back, but he was still impressive. He put together a solid .264/.344/.459 batting line, hitting 24 homers and stealing 26 bases. Betts also continued to shine in the field, leading the American League was 28 runs saved in right. He also led the league in putouts and range factor, while ranking fourth in assists.

We are really just starting to see Betts’ ascension into the upper tier of MLB players. A key part to the Red Sox success, Betts is still a couple of years away from his hypothetical prime. A five tool player already, he could be a perennial MVP candidate for years to come.

Mookie Betts is becoming one of the better players in the game today. He may well have an MVP in his future, but it will have to wait.

4. Corey Kluber: Cleveland Indians

There is a bit of a bias against pitchers being considered for the MVP award. However, Corey Kluber is not the average pitcher.

The leading candidate for the AL Cy Young award, Kluber continued his dominance from the previous three seasons. He had established himself as one of the best pitchers in the game, posting a 45-34 record along with a 3.01 ERA and a 1.069 WHiP in the past three seasons. With his impressive control and ability to strike out nearly ten betters per nine innings, Kluber is the undisputed ace for the Indians.

This season, Kluber was able to easily separate himself from the competition. He led American League pitchers with a 7.8 WAR, easily outpacing Justin Verlander and Chris Sale. Kluber also tied for the league lead with 18 wins, and led the AL with his 2.27 ERA, and a 0.861 WHiP, while finishing second with 262 strikeouts.

While it is difficult for pitchers to win the MVP award, there is no question that the Indians would not be the contenders they are without Kluber. He is truly the key piece in the rotation, a dominant force who is capable of shutting down any lineup. Having someone of his caliber to front the Indians rotation makes life much easier.

Corey Kluber has yet to finish in the top ten of the MVP vote. This may be the year he earns some serious consideration for the award.

3. Aaron Judge: New York Yankees

Over the course of American League history, only Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki have won the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season. Aaron Judge could join that list this season.

Judge had been a top prospect in the Yankees system, his propensity for hitting home runs making fans anticipate his debut. However, in his first taste of the majors in 2016, Judge struggled. Although he did show his power, hitting four home runs, Judge also struck out 42 times in 94 plate appearances. Was he a real prospect, or just another power hitter without any ability to make consistent contact?

It may be just one season, but Judge certainly showed that he could be a star. He rapidly became a fan favorite in the Bronx, posting a .284/.422/.627 batting line and setting a MLB rookie record with 52 homers. Judge led the league with 128 runs and 127 walks, as well as his astounding 208 strikeouts. He was a Three True Outcome player to the extreme, and perhaps, the best case scenario for such a player.

Judge was a major part of the Yankees offense this season. Led by their young star, New York was able to overcome its somewhat shaky pitching in order to make the postseason. If Judge can cut down on his strikeouts, and continue his hard contact, he could be a cornerstone for the Yankees for years to come. But that is really the question – will those strikeouts become a problem?

That is a question for another year. In 2017, Aaron Judge was one of the more valuable players in the league.

1. Jose Altuve: Houston Astros

Despite his small size, Jose Altuve has proven to be one of the best hitters in the game. This year, he is set to finally get his due.

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Essentially blocked by Mike Trout, Altuve has yet to be in serious contention for an MVP award. His best finish, third, came last year, but that was a distant third. He has yet to earn a first place vote, despite having 200 or more hits for four consecutive years, and leading the league in batting average three times in that span.

This season was more of the same for the Astros second baseman. He posted a stellar .346/.410/.547 batting line, setting a career best in each category. Altuve also hit 24 homers and stole 32 bases, while posting another 204 hits. Defensively, Altuve led American League second basemen with 12 runs saved, and may well end up with a second Gold Glove award.

While the Houston Astros have improved this season, Altuve is easily their heart and soul. He was initially turned away from a tryout in Venezuela by Houston because of his size, but returned and impressed the team enough where they signed him for a $15,000 bonus. Since then, he developed into a superstar, using his past to continue to find his way to success. As the Astros look to win their first championship, they too are using their past failures as motivation to reach the top.

Next: 2017 NL Manager of the Year Ballot

Jose Altuve is not only one of the best players in baseball, but he is the most valuable player to the Astros. Considering how well both Altuve and the Astros performed this year, he should take home his first AL MVP award.