MLB Awards: 2017 National League MVP Ballot

4. Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers

It is rare for a pitcher to win an MVP award these days. Of course, Clayton Kershaw is not your average pitcher.

The 2014 NL MVP winner, Kershaw has established himself as one of the top pitchers in the game today. He has taken home three Cy Young awards, and may well earn a fourth this season. A seven time All Star, Kershaw has been able to lower his career ERA in every one of his MLB seasons.

This year was no exception. Despite missing over a month due to back issues, Kershaw continued to dominate. His 18 wins and 2.31 ERA led the NL, and he ranked second with a 0.941 WHiP. Kershaw struck out 202 batters with just 30 walks in his 175 innings, again leading the league in K/BB rate.

At this point, Kershaw seems destined to go down as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. Right now, the only thing that may hold him back is his health, as he has missed time in each of the past two seasons. However, if healthy, Kershaw is not just one of the best pitchers in the game, he is one of the top players overall.

Clayton Kershaw is the rare pitcher who is a perennial MVP candidate. This season was no exception.