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2019 MLB Season: AL MVP Race Update

By Edward Lennon

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 09: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim smiles during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 9, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 09: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim smiles during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 9, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images) /
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2019 MLB Season: AL MVP Race Update
(Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2019 MLB Season: AL MVP Race Update

5th- Austin Meadows

Austin Meadows is leading this young Tampa Bay team to the front of the AL East. In his first full season with the Rays since being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer, Meadows is hitting .341 and leading the American League in batting average.

He has shown a lot of versatility at the plate, displaying both power and contact hitting. His OPS., 1.032, is third in the AL. He has been one of the most consistent hitters in, not just the AL East, but the entire the league. He has 12 home runs, 38 RBI and eight stolen bases through just 48 games.

By limiting his strikeouts at the plate, the 24-year-old has developed into an all-around hitter. However, his lack of time in the outfield will hurt his chances of winning the award.

He has only played in the outfield in 27 of his 48 games so far. A designated hitter has not won the AL MVP since Don Baylor of the California Angel did it in 1979.

If both Tampa Bay and Meadows continues at this pace, he will certainly be on MVP ballots come October. He can become a staple in the Rays franchise for the 2019 MLB season. As a part of their young core, a steady team is developing in Florida.

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