Breaking Down the 2021 NL MVP Candidates

Mar 3, 2021; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. against the Milwaukee Brewers during a Spring Training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2021; Peoria, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. against the Milwaukee Brewers during a Spring Training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2 of 4
Next
Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

When thinking of who could win the National League Most Valuable Player award, a ton of names come to mind. The NL is filled with many talented players and a lot of competitive teams.

Will there be a repeated winner? Can a pitcher breakthrough in 2021? Will a dark horse candidate end up on the top of the ballot?

There are some players that will definitely have a strong campaign in 2021 and those players would be considered “the favorites” to finish on the top of the ballot. All of these players were impressive in 2019 and 2020 and are projected to have big years and put up some huge numbers.

There are a group of players that are definitely going to perform at a high caliber in 2021 but might not be on the top of MVP ballots. These players will certainly receive votes and also be the MVPs of their respective teams. Then, you have to consider those star players on bad teams. They are always going to be considered.

Besides those players, there are many other solid players that are considered “Dark Horses” for the award. These players have the potential to have a huge year and display impressive numbers. They might not be the first names people think of when speculating the NL MVP.

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Dark Horse Candidates for the 2021 NL MVP

Michael Conforto is heading into his last season before free agency. He is beyond motivated to perform well this season and he has a lot of other talented players around him in the New York Mets’ lineup. He hit .322 with a .927 OPS. in 54 games in 2020, as well as hitting 33 home runs in 2019.

Bryce Harper is trying to make the Philadelphia Phillies relevant again. It’s been a while since Harper played like an MVP candidate. In his third season with the Phillies, Harper is hoping to regain his power and his ability to hit for a high average. Harper is always a dark horse for the award because he has the potential to have an impressive season.

The newest Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher, Trevor Bauer, could win the award if he pitches like he did last season when he won the 2020 National League Cy Young Award. He should easily throw 200 innings and strike out 200 batters if he stays healthy.

Manny Machado is a sneaky candidate for this award. He is not even the favorite to be the best player on his team, but he has shown that he can be an MVP caliber player. Machado is a huge part of the turnaround of the San Diego Padres.

Trevor Story is now the best player on the Colorado Rockies and has the potential to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases if he stays healthy. Like Conforto, Story is also going to be a free agent after this season, which motivates him even more to put up crazy numbers. Story is one of the top shortstops in the league.

Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Will get votes in 2021 NL MVP race

Christian Yelich had a disappointing campaign in 2020 but was arguably the best player in the National League during 2018 and 2019. He won the award in 2018. Yelich can easily win a batting title and hit for power if he is healthy.

Freddie Freeman won the 2020 MVP and has a good shot to repeat as the winner. One of his main issues is one of his teammates is a favorite. Freeman is the best first baseman in baseball and has been the face of the Atlanta Braves for almost a decade. He will most likely hit .300 and Freeman should hit for power again in 2021.

Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher in the league, without a doubt. If he dominates as he has since 2018, he has a strong chance to win the award. deGrom has been basically perfect this Spring.  His velocity keeps rising. His slider keeps breaking aggressively. He might be at the best we have ever seen him.

Cody Bellinger, like Yelich, won the award in recent years, taking home the hardware in 2019. He was not at his best in 2020, only hitting .233. He has plenty of potential and will perform much better with a larger sample size. Ever since he has lowered his strikeouts, he has been a threat at the plate. Bellinger can easily regain his power this season and show that he is not just an All-Star, but one of the better players in the league.

Nolan Arenado is now the face of the St. Louis Cardinals. His 2020 campaign was not as impressive as his last five seasons. His fielding ability will carry over, but it will be interesting to see how Arenado produces offensively now that he has left the hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Juan Soto, Washington Nationals (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Juan Soto, Washington Nationals (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

The favorites for 2021 NL MVP

Many would say that Juan Soto should have won the 2020 NL MVP. The only reason he did not because he only played 47 of the 60 games and the Washington Nationals missed the playoffs. Soto won the batting title in 2020, hitting .351 with a 1.185 OPS. He won his first Silver Slugger and is only 22. There is no ceiling for Soto.

Mookie Betts is going to be a favorite for this award for many years to come. He will always put-up impressive numbers. Betts is the best player on the best team in the National League. He’ll hit for contact, power, and steal bases, all while being a Gold Glove right fielder.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres are destined to turn their culture around and begin winning again. They had an impressive run, mainly because Tatis had a .937 OPS. Like Soto he is only 22 and the sky is the limit for him. This will be his first full season and it will be interesting to see if he can continue to perform at this level over 162 games.

Francisco Lindor is the newest National Leaguer that is a favorite. The New York Mets are relying on Lindor to be the sparkplug their lineup needed. He has proven to be one of the best players in the league, being the best shortstop. Like Betts, he will have a high average and hit for power, while being able to steal bases and score runs. As he is a free agent after this season, Lindor has extra motivation heading into 2021.

Ronald Acuna Jr. is an interesting favorite because his teammate, Freeman, won the award last season. Acuna missed 14 games due to injury, but he still finished 12th on the ballot. He can easily have another 30 home run and 30 stolen base season. He is only 23 and is ready to prove that he is one of the best players in the league.

Next