WITH each team playing 100ish games we are nearly two-thirds of the way through season 2017. Let’s be honest though we have a rough idea of which players are leading the MVP rankings in each conference. The supposed favourites are in trouble with other in form stars breathing down their necks.
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American League
The Field: Francisco Lindor (Indians), Miguel Sano (Twins), George Springer (Astros), Carlos Correa (Astros)
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3. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
MIKE Trout could finish atop these rankings when it’s all said and done, we know what he’s capable of. It will come down to just how good he can continue to be over the rest of the season after missing a big chunk of time through injury. Never count out the Angels star who hasn’t finished lower than second in AL MVP voting since 2013.
2. Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
SINCE the Mid Summer Classic Jose Altuve has stepped up to the plate (no pun intended) and been on fire! With fellow All-Star Carlos Correa is out of the lineup with a thumb injury, Altuve has launched himself into serious MVP consideration and to be honest, is probably hard done by to not be sitting atop the rankings. In his last seven days, he has put up a slash line of .615/.630/1.038 while striking out just three times in 26 at bats. Yout
1. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
DESPITE slowing up since the All-Star break, Judge is still the man to beat for the AL MVP. With a batting average of .180 and OBP at just .323 Judge could very well concede most valuable players honours if he doesn’t get out of his hitting funk. The dip in average may derail his Triple Crown ambitions, but his first half was so dominant he deserves to still be on top of this list. Judge continues to hit long balls with 33 homers (tied for 1st in the majors) for the year so far, but he has to be careful he doesn’t let his grip on the trophy slip.
National League
Outside Looking In: Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals), Anthony Rendon (Nationals), Corey Seager (Dodgers), Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
3. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
ANOTHER victim of the ‘post All-Star blues’, Joey Votto isn’t doing his late MVP run any help. With just five hits in the last week, his line isn’t nearly as impressive as it was in the first portion of the season, set up by a blistering June. It doesn’t help that the Reds have the 3rd worst record in the National league, which will definitely impact Votto’s output.
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2. Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
RANKING inside the top 10 of most, if not all, relevant statistics through the first half of the season is great numbers from ‘Goldy’. So for him to up those numbers upon returning from the mid-season break, is going to make for an exciting finish in the NL MVP competition. If Arizona can get back to their dominant winning ways that they have flirted with throughout the season Goldschmidt has a genuine chance of claiming his first most valuable player award.
1. Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
MUCH like the AL race, this one is really a case of 1A and 1B. Bryce Harper has set himself up for success with a monster start to the season and doesn’t look like letting his spot atop the rankings slip. It is genuinely Harper’s award to lose in the National League and if he can keep up this absurd slash line (.426/.491/1.021) then they may as well engrave it now. I think Goldschmidt and the likes won’t make it a cakewalk for the 2015 winner, so buckle up for what will no doubt be an interesting ride.
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