EXAMINING THE AL MVP RACE

It’s been an incredible baseball season thus far, though every season is incredible. We’re just two months away until the postseason, so it’s that time of the year to look at the MVP races. Currently, in my opinion, there are three players in the American League who have a shot to win the crown, and those guys are Robinson Cano, Mike Trout, and Josh Hamilton. We’ll lead things off with New York’s favorite second baseman (Read ROBINSON CANO IS YOUR FAVORITE YANKEE SECOND BASEMAN), Robinson Cano.

Robinson Cano: He’s had a fantastic season so far for the first place Yanks. As of July 30, Cano was hitting hitting .312/.369/.557 (BA/OBP/SLG) in 101 games and 434 PA’s, while hitting 22 homers and knocking in 56. He’s also played a sparkling second base, which is something we’ve come to expect out of Robbie year in and year out. Plus, the guy just keeps rolling in August cranking out a Grand Slam against the Orioles in teh Yankees 12-3 victory. He’s clearly the best player on the best team in baseball, and that alone should get him some MVP votes.

Mike Trout: He’s the electrifying rookie for the Los Angeles Angels, is also having a marvelous year. In just 79 games and 359 PA’s, the rookie is hitting .350/.407/.594 with 16 homers, 79 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases. His .350 average, 79 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases all lead the American League. He’s also been great in the outfield whether he’s played in left or center field. Also, since his call-up on April 28, the Angels have been one of the best teams in baseball. They were 6-14 when they called the phenom up, and they’ve gone 49-33 since and they’re right in the thick of it in both the AL West and AL Wild Card races.

 

Josh Hamilton: Josh is the third candidate in this great race, but he’s becoming a distant third as far as I’m concerned. Hamilton is currently hitting .282/.353/.576 with 28 homers and 83 RBI, but he’s on a steady decline as he’s hitting .190/.274/.374 since the start of June. If his slide continues, expect Hamilton to drop out of the MVP race, though his saving grace is those 28 homers (Tied-2nd in AL) and 83 RBI (Tied-1st in AL).

If the season were to end today, and I know it doesn’t, Mike Trout would probably win the MVP. Personally, I would vote Cano, but it’s hard to ignore how much Trout has produced for the Angels in the shorter amount of time he’s played compared to the other two candidates. Maybe Cano can make up some ground and steal the spotlight, who knows. All I know is that this AL MVP race will get more and more exciting as we get closer to the end of the regular season.
(NOTE: All stat tallies were recorded July 31st)

  


--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse

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