Who Are the American League MVP Frontrunners?

With August upon us, it’s time to take a look at who might take home hardware in a few months. Unlike the National League, the American League has a clear picture of who may earn the Most Valuable Player Award. Who are the frontrunners for the American League MVP?

Somehow, we’re already in August. While division races continue to intensify, the silent race for American League MVP is a bit clearer now.

It’s a far cry from the National League, where the Most Valuable Player award is essentially there for the taking. Freddie Freeman continues to produce in the midst of a wonderful season. Way out West, Nolan Arenado is keeping pace with his career power numbers. With a NL-leading 5.4 WAR, Lorenzo Cain has a shot at the award, too.

Over at the American League, though, it’s not so easy.

That’s the way it was last year, too. When Jose Altuve beat out Aaron Judge, it wasn’t by much. And while they’re both having fantastic years, they aren’t currently in the front of American League MVP discussions.

While the award already has its frontrunners, that doesn’t mean it’s locked up. In fact, it’s quite far from being locked up.

What I can tell you is this; one of these guys will probably be named the American League MVP. A surge here or there could propel one of them to the top. But, will a player’s value to his team be a deciding factor?

Let’s take a look.

Mike Trout

Surprise! Kidding, this absolutely should not be a surprise to any informed (or uninformed) baseball fan. As he rides through another terrific season, Mike Trout has once again shown why he is the greatest of his generation.

Up to this point, Trout leads the American League in a bunch of statistical categories. Here’s the short list:

• WAR (7.8)
• Offensive WAR (7.2)
• On-base % (.459)
• Walks (99)

In addition to those league-leading numbers, Trout has struck out 97 times compared to his 99 walks.

Aside from those stats, Trout carries a line of .309/.459/.624 with a 1.083 OPS. Those are video game numbers. While there are players with higher averages, few match Trout’s multi-faceted skillset that allows him to succeed in nearly every area of the game.

The only detriment to Trout’s case for MVP is his team. The Angels have trudged through yet another disappointing season with him in his prime years. While the lack of talent on the Angels’ may hurt Trout’s case, his value to the entire team cannot be denied.

Mookie Betts

In the end, the American League MVP race will probably come down to two players; Trout and Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts. There’s few players in all of baseball that possess the tools Betts’ has harnessed.

On the year, he’s hitting .346 with 25 HR’s, 57 RBI’s and a .431 OBP. He has these numbers despite missing 14 games back in early June.

Like Trout, Betts also leads the AL in a number of important categories.

• BA (.346)
• Slugging % (.654)
• OBP (1.085)

He’s been Bostons best overall player, even though J.D. Martinez is earning every penny from his offseason deal. Trout is generally considered baseball’s best overall talent, but Betts’ makes a strong case for the top spot, too.

One thing going against Betts’ is the fact that he is just one of many great hitters on a stacked Boston roster.

There’s Martinez, Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts. That and the fact that the Red Sox are 12-7 without Betts in the lineup shows that the team doesn’t always need him.

But of course, they’ll take him. If he doesn’t win the award, he’ll finish no lower than third in voting.

Jose Ramirez

Cleveland Indians’ third basemen Jose Ramirez has almost been the AL MVP.

He finished third in voting last year. A season before that, he finished 17th. Sure, it’s 17th, but it was a year that got him on the map. And this year, he’s broken out in a big way.

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His .302 average is in-line with his last two seasons, but his 32 home runs are a career high. He’s on pace to finish with 40-50 HR’s after hitting 29 last season. After driving in 83 runs last year, he’s already collected 78.

Perhaps most impressive is the fact that his 7.2 WAR is second only to Mike Trout. His 64 extra base hit’s stand as the most in the AL.

His power and run production numbers stack up with the best of them, but his average might not be good enough to capture the award.

But, we’re talking about a player who is keeping pace with everyone else on this list. Ramirez has been the most important member of the Indians.

And yes, I mean more important than Corey Kluber and Francisco Lindor. He’s been that good. Forget good starter numbers, Ramirez is a superstar in this league.

A superstar capable of taking home some hardware, too.

So there are our top candidates for the American League MVP. Who do you think should get the award? Did we miss anyone in this list? Comment below!!