MLB Awards: 2017 National League MVP Ballot

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The National League was home to some incredible performances this season. Which MLB star deserves to take home the NL MVP award this season?

Of all the awards that are given out each year in MLB, the MVP award may well be the most prestigious. Careers come and go, and success can be fleeting, but earning that MVP award signifies that, for one year, that player was the most valuable member of their league. Nothing can take that away, even in the case of Ken Caminiti and his PED usage.

The MVP award is one that truly captures the imagination. While players spend their careers with the goal of capturing a World Series title or two, the MVP award ranks near the top of any potential personal award. It is a testament to greatness, and to the incredible performance that had been put together that year.

Personally, I consider the MVP award to be a vote for exactly what it says – the most valuable player in the league. The most valuable does not always mean the best player; otherwise, the same few players would win the award every season. Instead, by seeing which players meant the most to their respective franchises, we get a new crop of contenders each year.

This season, there were several worthy candidates for the NL MVP award. Let us take a look at the top five.

5. Paul Goldschmidt: Arizona Diamondbacks

Paul Goldschmidt is an anomaly amongst first basemen, as he is more than capable of stealing a base. However, he has emerged as one of the top MLB players for more than just his speed.

A two time runner up for the NL MVP award already in his career, he has emerged as the biggest star for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has made five consecutive All Star Games, won two Gold Glove awards, and two Silver Sluggers. Goldschmidt has also become a perennial 30-30 candidate, the rare first baseman with enough speed to find himself on the leader board in stolen bases.

While he did not run as much this season, Goldschmidt still had a great year. A key part of the Diamondbacks turnaround and run to the postseason, he produced a .297/.404/.563 batting line. Goldschmidt tied a career high with 36 homers, and added another 34 doubles and 18 stolen bases. His work around the bag may well earn him a third Gold Glove award, as he led NL first basemen with 15 runs saved.

Having just turned 30 years old this season, Goldschmidt potentially has a few more years of elite production ahead of him. Should the Diamondbacks continue to reach the postseason, or if Goldschmidt gets that 30-30 season, he may be able to earn that elusive MVP award.

Paul Goldschmidt has become one of the best players in the game. His continued excellence was a key part of the Arizona Diamondbacks return to the postseason this year.

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.

3. Joey Votto: Cincinnati Reds

Marty Brennaman’s favorite player has once again proven to be one of the best players in the league. Given the Cincinnati Reds struggles, one has to wonder how bad the team would be without him.

Despite the Reds announcer’s arguments to the contrary, Votto has been worth every cent he has been paid. Combining excellent power with one of the best batting eyes in the game, Votto has led the National League in on base percentage in six of the past eight seasons. In that time, he has led the NL in walks while hitting 20 or more homers five times.

This year was more of the same with the Reds star. He produced an impressive .320/.454/.578 batting line, belting 36 homers and 34 doubles. He continued to draw walks at an impressive clip while making excellent contact, with 134 walks and just 83 strikeouts in 707 plate appearances. Votto even chipped in five stolen bases, picking his spots with precision.

The 2010 NL MVP, Votto has made himself a perennial candidate for the award. Although he has made only made five All Star games, Votto has placed in the top ten of the MVP award five times, including two years he was not a part of the Mid Summer Classic. He has been one of the brightest stars in the game, and one of the current greats in the NL.

With his skillset, Joey Votto should remain in the MVP discussion for a few more years. Should the Reds get back into contention, he will be a key part of that turnaround.

2. Nolan Arenado: Colorado Rockies

The Coors Field Effect has led many to discount the numbers produced by virtually any member of the lineup. However, one should not look at Nolan Arenado through the Coors Field lens.

Indeed, Arenado has become one of the best third basemen, if not the best, in the game today. A two time home run leader, Arenado has also combined excellent defense with his prowess with the bat. In each of his four full MLB seasons heading into 2017, he has won the Gold Glove award, establishing himself as one of the top defensive players around the league.

2017 was no different for the Rockies third baseman. Although he did not lead the league in homers, he did finish third with 37 long balls. His 43 doubles led the NL, and he put together an excellent .309/.373/.586 batting line, the best marks of his career. Arenado continued his excellent play at third, leading the league in range factor for the fifth consecutive year. He also led the NL in putouts, assists, and double plays while saving nine runs. Another Gold Glove seems to be in his future.

At this point, Arenado may well be the best third baseman in the game. His unique blend of offense and defense makes him a threat anywhere he plays, regardless of the Rockies uniform. He hit only one more homer and five more doubles at home, showing that his powerful bat can play anywhere. He is not just a byproduct of the thin air.

It may well be a matter of time before Nolan Arenado wins an MVP award. That could even happen this season.

1. Giancarlo Stanton: Miami Marlins

If Giancarlo Stanton is going to be traded, he picked a great time to maximize his value.

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His home run streak this season once again ignited the debate as to what the single season record should be. Stanton captivated the baseball world, as he chased 60 home runs in what is considered to be a PED free era. Those home runs he hit were impressive, leaving the year at amazing speed and being launched into the stratosphere.

Although Stanton ultimately fell short of the 60 home run mark, he still had quite the impressive season. Stanton ended the year with a .276/.376/.631 batting line, hitting a league leading 59 homers and driving in 132 runs. Healthy once again, he proved that he was still the dangerous hitter he had been in years past.

Naturally, as there are seemingly every year, there are questions about Stanton’s future in Miami. With new ownership, the slugger may well be on the block again. Stanton himself has been on record as saying that he does not want any part of another rebuild, as he feels he has wasted the past seven years. Should he win the MVP award, Stanton’s sky high value will only increase.

Next: 2017 AL MVP ballot

If this is Giancarlo Stanton’s final season with the Marlins, he made it an impressive one. He may well leave the team having won his first NL MVP award.

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