These ten MLB stars have firmly placed themselves in the MVP race.
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We’re over one-fifth of the way through the MLB season. These ten players, five in each league, have established themselves as contenders to win either the AL or NL MVP award.
New York Mets 1B Pete Alonso
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Pete Alonso slumped during the season last year during a contact year, but redeemed himself in the playoff. It’s safe to say he’s a lot more comfortable this year. Alonso is hitting anything and everything this year, with an OPS of 1.123 and an OPS+ that is a staggering 220. He leads the NL in hits, RBI’s, doubles, and all three slash stats (BA/OBP/Slug). Right now, it would be awfully tough to vote for someone else.
Los Angeles Dodgers OF/DH/P Shohei Ohtani
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Pete Alonso’s biggest problem in terms of trying to win an MVP? Shohei Ohtani exists. By his standards, Ohtani hasn’t been anything special. “Not that special” for Shohei Ohtani means ten homers and ten stolen bases already and an OPS over 1.000. He’s going to pitch at some point this year, too, and should be considered the favorite to win NL MVP, even if he wouldn’t win it right now.
Arizona Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll
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He’s striking out a ton, but Carroll is hitting it hard when he hits it. He has a fantastic 22 extra base hits already, and OPS of .943, and five steals. Factor in his stellar defense and you’ve got a bona fide MVP candidate.
Chicago Cubs OF Kyle Tucker
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Chicago got Kyle Tucker for pennies on the dollar this offseason due to the fact that his contract was set to expire following this season. This superstar acquisition has paid off. Tucker is walking more than he’s striking out, has nine homers and 31 RBI’s so far, and has even stolen nine bases. He’s been one of the very best players in all of baseball so far.
San Diego Padres OF Fernando Tatis Jr.
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Tatis appears to have returned to the form he showed in his first three years in the league. He’s already socked eight homers and has swiped eight bases, and has a batting average well over .300. Tatis Jr. should be one of the game’s best players, and he’s playing like it.
New York Yankees OF Aaron Judge
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Here’s a list of players in baseball history that have ever had a four-year stretch at the plate like the one Aaron Judge is in the middle of: Barry Bonds. That’s the entire list. Judge is, somehow, better than ever this year. He already has 12 home runs, has an OPS of 1.234, and and OPS+ of an astounding 259. Only Barry Bonds has ever reached those heights. He probably has to get hurt to lose the MVP. He’d have to miss a significant amount of games, too.
Kansas City Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr.
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You have to feel bad for Bobby Witt Jr. If it wasn’t for Aaron Judge, he’d be in the driver’s seat for his second straight MVP at the age of 25. He’s not necessarily hitting it out of the ballpark, having hit just four home runs. But, he’s got a league-leading 14 doubles, he’s got 11 steals, and an OPS+ of 147. He’s doing that while arguably playing the best defense in all of baseball. He’s a phenom, but Judge is in the way.
Boston Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman
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Let’s face it, the MVP race is unlikely to get past the first two guys from the AL on this list. But, we have to fill out the list, and Bregman deserves inclusion. The offseason signing is tearing the cover off of the ball, with an OPS of .973 and an OPS of 170. He’s swinging it as well as anyone not named Aaron Judge in the AL.
Detroit Tigers 1B Spencer Torkelson
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It’s slim pickings in the AL, but we have to shout out Spencer Torkelson. He’s got an OPS of .889 and an OPS+ of 153. Those are great numbers for a player that has not lived up to expectations so far in his career.
Seattle Mariners C Cal Raleigh
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You’re probably stunned to find out that Raleigh has finished in the top 20 of the AL MVP voting the past two seasons. But, he’s taken it to another level this year. Raleigh has an OPS+ of 177, has 19 extra base hits including 12 homers, and is one of the best pitch-framers in the league. He has to be mentioned as someone who would get a lot of votes if the season ended today.