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2019 MLB Season: AL MVP Race Update for September

By Lucas Friedman

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 27: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers played on August 27, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 27: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers played on August 27, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts joins Ted Williams in record books
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

In a league that has become littered with talented shortstops,  Xander Bogaerts has somewhat quietly become one of the best. During the Red Sox 2018 World Series season, teammates J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts dominated the headlines. However, Bogaerts put together a formidable season as well.

He produced a .288/.360/.522 slash line with 23 HRs and 72 RBIs. His 133 wRC+ and 3.8 WAR were enough for a 13th place finish in AL MVP voting (Fangraphs).

During the 2019 MLB sesaon, Bogaerts has elevated his game to the next level. His run production has skyrocketed. His 31 HRs, 102 RBIs and 145 wRC+ are all career highs. He ranks in the top 10  of every offensive category in the AL, including second in offensive WAR at 6.7 and an MLB-leading 49 doubles.

Bogaerts has put together the best season of his career, earning his second career All Star nod in the process. His defensive abilities have kept him outside the conversation about the league’s best shortstops, and probably outside the top 3 in MVP voting. in 2019, He has -19 DRS and a 0.9 UZR (Fangraphs). Nonetheless, offensively, he will no longer be overlooked when discussing the best shortstops in the major leagues.

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