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National League MVP: Sizing up the MVP race

By Sarah Maninger |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 17: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals are seen in the on-deck circle during the the 89th MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 17: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals are seen in the on-deck circle during the the 89th MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins receives a standing ovation after his final at-bat of the 2017 season during the ninth inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins receives a standing ovation after his final at-bat of the 2017 season during the ninth inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /

With September drawing closer by the day, and the postseason race underway, we take a look at players with the best chance to win this year’s national league MVP.

Both leagues are full of stars, but today we focus on the National League MVP – a league in which Matt Kemp went from average to far above it and Nolan Arenado is still one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball.

The National League MVP Race, however, is heating up, and there’s more than a few names in it.

Of course, there is the debate as to whether or not an MVP should come from a contender, but for the sake of the argument, let’s focus on the player’s production this season, rather than their team’s place in the standings.

Just like last season, when Giancarlo Stanton won the award but his team didn’t come close to a division title, we should look at the MVP race in terms of how well they played, not whether or not they are responsible for their team making it past October first.

Though I could write a mile long list of the strongest players in the National League this season, let’s focus on those who headline the race, broken down by division.

MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 07: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves plays first base in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 7, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 07: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves plays first base in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 7, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Freddie Freeman-1B (Atlanta Braves)

The Braves have been getting better and better the past few years but this season their window of contention has finally opened, thanks, in part, to Freddie Freeman. Freeman has been the best the Braves have, and they are only 1.5 games out of first because of it. Freeman is on pace to have one of the best seasons of his career, as he currently bats with a .316 average, surpassed only by his 2013 season.

The Braves have lots of stars, Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña, to name two, but I don’t think they would be where they are without Freddie Freeman, making him a definite contender for this season’s National League MVP.

Aaron Nola-SP (Philadelphia Phillies)

Though pitchers have an esteemed award of their own, could Aaron Nola be considered for both the MVP and the Cy Young this year? Nola, based on WAR alone, has been far and away the best on the Phillies roster. With a 6.7 war (not to mention a 2.37 ERA) Nola is making it look easy. His 12-3 record has helped to boost the Phillies past the Braves, and into first place. Should the Phillies make October, Nola is going to be a pivotal piece of Philadelphia’s postseason puzzle, and they need him to make the picture complete.

*HONORABLE MENTIONS: Bryce Harper (WSH)  and Jacob deGrom (NYM)

ST. LOUIS, MO – JULY 29: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two-run double against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on July 29, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – JULY 29: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two-run double against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on July 29, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Javier Baez-2B (Chicago Cubs)

Javier Báez is the very definition of elite. To quote “Moneyball” (and scouts everywhere) he can run, he can throw, he can field, he can hit, and he can hit with power. The Cubs are have been overflowing with talent since 2016, but Baez may just be the most valuable, and most impactful player this season. He was drafted in 2011 by former Cubs GM Jim Hendry (who would be fired about a month and a half later). Theo Epstein, however, got one strong prospect when he and Jed Hoyer took over the front office that offseason.

Báez is undoubtedly having the best season of his career, having already knocked in 86 runs (and is on pace to eclipse every positive stat from his past 4 seasons in the majors). He is almost definitely going to be in the heart of the National League MVP conversation, and could even add “NL MVP” to his list of accomplishments, right alongside “World Series Champ.”

Matt Carpenter-INF (St. Louis Cardinals)

Matt Carpenter has been making headlines and has been hitting home runs faster than we can count. Quietly, Carpenter has tied Nolan Arenado for the NL Home Run lead and shows no signs of slowing down. Carpenter has shown a lot of promise this season, and could even become a trade candidate in October should the Cardinals look to embark on a mini-rebuild.

*Honorable Mentions: Lorenzo Cain (MIL)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 25: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday July 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 25: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday July 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /

Matt Kemp-OF (Los Angeles Dodgers)

The resurgence of Matt Kemp in Los Angeles sure has been fun to watch. The Dodgers traded for Kemp, with the intention of the deal being a salary dump. It seems we all forgot how much Kemp loved being in LA, because he showed up to spring training having lost 40 pounds and happy to don the blue and white again. Since the Spring, Kemp earned himself a spot on the NL All-Star team, as well as being a reliable defender for the Dodgers in the outfield, wherever they may need him.

Paul Goldschmidt-1B (Arizona Diamondbacks)

For the past few years, Goldschmidt has been a clear contender to at least be in the National League MVP conversation. He has been an elite defender for Arizona and has been fairly consistent at the plate. Goldschmidt leads Arizona position players in WAR (at 3.5). The only downside to Goldy the moment is that he’s on pace to have the most strikeouts of his career, but that is something that he can turn around in August.

Nolan Arenado-3B (Colorado Rockies)

Can you even talk about the NL MVP without talking about Nolan Arenado? Spoiler alert, probably not. The NL West is full to the brim with talent (something this Dodger fan has witnessed on multiple occasions) but the game is better for it. Nolan Arenado is just one of those players that are so fun to watch. His team may have gotten out-hit by the D-Backs in the Wild Card game last October, the Rockies are still in contention, and Nolan Arenado is leading the charge.

*Honorable Mentions: Max Muncy (LAD), Zack Greinke (AZ)

dark. Next. NL Rookie of the Year Contenders

That’s our look at the National League MVP award. Who’s your favorite? Anyone missing? Comment below!

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