Predicting the 5 MVP Finalists in the National League

Even though it is early in the MLB season, let us take a look at the MVP front runners in the National League.

Although we are just a few weeks into the 2019 MLB season, a few players have stood out through a small sample size in the National League. These may just be hot starts for these players, but they are already turning heads of many around the league.

If they continue to keep playing the way they are, they will be recognized by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America at the end of the season voting. Some new, younger stars are emerging in the National League and it could cause a disruption in the Most Valuable Player conversation.

This season, there might be a few regulars in the conversation that will not be finalists at the end of the season, such as the Colorado Rockies’  third baseman Nolan Arenado and the Philadelphia Phillies’ newly signed outfielder Bryce Harper. A starting pitcher, like the New York Mets’ Jacob deGrom or the Washington Nationals’ Max Scherzer, may make their way into the debate as the season matures. No Atlanta Braves or Philadelphia Phillies are possible MVPs right now, but that could easily change.

The conversation might look totally different at the end of the season, but this is a prediction of the five finalists for the 2019 National League Most Valuable Player Award as of April 17th.

5th- Pete Alonso, NYM, 1B

There were high expectations for the 24-year-old first baseman, but his white-hot start has surpassed them. This rookie is off to one of the most impressive starts in Mets history. Pete Alonso is an absolute menace in the NL East. Through their first 18 games, Alonso has registered 17 RBI, six home runs, and is batting .328. Mainly batting second, Alonso serves as a sparkplug for the New York Mets’ lineup.

Alonso’s 454-foot home run that exited at 118.3 mph was the hardest hit by the Mets in Stat cast Era, since 2015. The only other players in MLB to hit a home run this hard were Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge. The young first baseman is already putting himself in very impressive company.

He has already started many rallies for the club and is a big part of their early success. He is exceptional at getting on base. His OPS is 1.160, which is currently seventh in the NL. He has been producing so much for the Mets’ offense. His slugging is currently fifth in the NL at .738, which is through the roof.

Even though he is in his first MLB season, Alonso will be an MVP candidate and finish in the top five if the Mets are still playing meaningful baseball in September, and he continues to play like this. If he continues on this rate, he will have a strong chance to hit over 30 home runs and 100 RBI in his rookie season, which would be elite.

This could just be a hot start for the Mets’ first baseman of the future, or it could be the start to a strong career, filled with many placements in the MVP voting, and possibly a 2019 NL Rookie of the Year Award.

4th- Paul Goldschmidt, STL, 1B

Paul Goldschmidt is no stranger to the NL MVP conversation. He has placed in the top six for the award four different times, even though he has yet to win it. Even though he is one of the newest St. Louis Cardinals, Goldschmidt is already making a huge impact.

The Cardinals are expected to be a contender for the National League Central division this season, along with the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers. The newly acquired and extended first baseman will try to bring St. Louis back to the postseason since 2015.

The six-time All-Star already has seven home runs through 18 games. Despite only batting .239, his OPS is currently .907. Last season, Goldschmidt struggled through May. Many were nervous about his slow start, but he was able to hit .304 after the All-Star break, and get his batting average up to .290, while smashing 33 home runs and 83 RBI. He has time to raise his average, but his power is still relevant and present.

He is going to be a huge part of their lineup and hopefully the difference maker that takes them back to the playoffs. Arguably the best MLB first baseman in the past five seasons, the Cardinals hope to see a lot of production out of Goldschmidt as the season continues.

3rd- Anthony Rendon, WSH, 3B

With Bryce Harper off to Philadelphia, Anthony Rendon is now the big weapon in Washington’s lineup. The Nationals hope to return to the playoffs this season, and that will not be possible unless Rendon is an MVP candidate.

Rendon has placed three times in the past, fifth in 2014, sixth in 2017 and 11thlast season. The 29-year-old is coming off a big season and just began one that may surpass it. Though 15 games, Rendon has hit six home runs, eight doubles and 18 RBI, while hitting .397. He is absolutely raking right now and has been the most consistent bat in the Nationals’ lineup.

The third baseman is a former Silver Slugger and might pick another one up this season with the way he has been hitting the ball. On the last year of his contract, Rendon is looking to get paid next season, and he certainly will if he keeps playing like this. He has yet to hit 30 home runs in a singular season, but is on-pace to this year.

The heart of the Nationals’ lineup looks to continue his hot streak all season long. If Rendon continues to play like he is now, he will head into the offseason with better chances of a larger deal after placing high in the MVP voting.

2nd- Christian Yelich, MIL, RF

The reigning National League MVP has started another fantastic season. In his first season in Milwaukee, Yelich quickly became a fan-favorite and brought the team to the postseason.
He won a batting title, hitting .326, 36 home runs, and driving in 110 runs. Even though the season is young, the 27-year-old right fielder is on-pace to put up even better numbers. Through 19 games, he has nine home runs, 26 RBI, currently leading the National League in both. and is hitting .356. He picked up this year right where he left off last season.

The Brewers hope to win the National League Central division, but the Cardinals and the Cubs are going to contend as well. If the Brewers win the division or return to the postseason, Yelich will have a lot of support from the voters if he has similar stats to last season. 2018 was impressive for Yeli, but in 2019; we might see him play at an even high caliber.

Yelich looks to claim another batting title this year and take his Milwaukee Brewers deeper into the postseason. However, as good as a season he has in 2019, Christian Yelich will be the runner-up for the MVP when the award in announced in November.