National League MVP: Sizing up the MVP race

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.

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)

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)