A Look at the MLB MVP Races
Josh Hamilton is the clear frontrunner for AL MVP this year. He currently leads the AL in homeruns (19) and RBI (76) and still has a chance to make a run at the triple-crown. Currently .020 off the pace for the batting title, Hamilton’s closest competition for MVP may be the man leading the batting race; Milton Bradley.
Bradley is hitting .330 and has been walked 47 times already. Despite the fact that pitchers are staying away from him, he has hit 15 long balls and driven in 48 runs. His OPS is also the best in the American League at 1.070.
Always a threat to catch fire, Alex Rodriguez deserves to be mentioned in the conversation as well. Rodriguez is second to Bradley with a 1.000 OPS. He has gone yard 14 times and driven in 41 runs. Some consideration could also be given to Ian Kinsler who leads the league in hits, but given the standout performance of his teammate (Hamilton), he will not receive many votes.
In a comparatively weak year for individual offensive performances in the AL, Hamilton will look to cash in. It is Josh Hamilton’s race to lose
In the National League, Albert Pujols is having an MVP caliber season. Unfortunately for Albert Pujols, this league belongs to Lance Berkman and Chipper Jones, everyone else is just playing in it.
Since late April it has been apparent that these two would be fighting for the MVP and, barring serious injury, that’s how it is going to end. So unfortunately for Fat Albert, top ten performances in homers, RBI and batting average, plus a 1.121 OPS are probably going to get him nothing.
Berkman leads all of baseball with an OPS of 1.154. He has better power numbers than Jones with 21 HR and 63 RBI. But Chipper is still flirting with .400. At last check, Chipper was hitting .394 and while batting average is an overrated stat, it gets attention from the writers. Jones has hit a respectable 16 HR and knocked in 46 runs. Jones also has the ‘valuable’ factor wrapped up, seeming to always come up when the Braves need him this year.
While the race is closer than people realize between these two, Jones appears to be in the driver’s seat. If he hits .400 the race is over, but even if he stays around where he is, he will most likely be voted NL MVP.
Another good analysis. They are talking about putting Chipper on the DL today, so unfortunately, that could really affect the voting if he keeps losing at-bats. What about Longoria for rookie of the year?