Call to the pen
Fansided

New York Yankees: A case for DJ LeMahieu for MVP

By Manny Gómez

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 17: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees runs up the line watching his home run as fans cheer in the 5th inning in an MLB baseball game against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City on August 17, 2019. Yankees won 6-5. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 17: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees runs up the line watching his home run as fans cheer in the 5th inning in an MLB baseball game against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City on August 17, 2019. Yankees won 6-5. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Why DJ LeMahieu can win the 2019 AL MVP Award

The New York Yankees have suffered an unprecedented number of injuries this season. In fact, currently, there are 18 injured players on the roster. That’s not including injuries suffered to a number of other players earlier in the season.

Related to this, LeMahieu’s has contributed to the team’s success in this regard because he has played THREE different positions rather well. He started the season at second base because of an injury to Didi Gregorious.

Having played most of his career at this position, naturally, LeMahieu was very good. In fact, in 518.2 innings at second this season, LeMahieu has a +4 DRS. Only Chicago White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sanchez (+5 DRS) has a better DRS among second basemen in the American League.

More from Call to the Pen

Also, when Miguel Andujar was lost for the season at the beginning of the year, LeMahieu filled in at third base, and actually posted a +1 DRS in 295 innings played there. Other Yankee players who have played some third include Gio Urshela and Tyler Wade.

Unlike LeMahieu, however, Urshela has posted a -3 DRS and Wade a -1 DRS.

Lastly, after the Yankees lost first baseman Luke Voit to injury this season, LeMahieu was there to save the day. Having only played first base for a total of 13 innings prior to this season, LeMahieu went on to log 226 innings at first in 2019 alone.

What’s more, he did it rather well. Having posted a 0 DRS, LeMahieu ranks 25 of 51 players who have logged at least 200 innings at first, worst of which is Luke Voit who has a -7 DRS.

Finally, offensively, DJ LeMahieu has been a force to be reckoned with as a member of the New York Yankees. Of all MLB players this season, LeMahieu is tied with Mookie Betts for eighth in fWAR (4.8). He leads the AL in batting average (.335) and ranks top 10 wOBA (.384) and wRC+ (141).

Next. Padres: Is Mejia the long-term answer at catcher. dark

So, sure, Mike Trout is a once in a lifetime type of talent who happens to be having the best season of his career and is deserving of the award. However, who has really contributed most to his team’s success?

I think it’s hard to argue against DJ.

Home/New York Yankees