With a few weeks of baseball in the books, we are starting to see real MVP candidates in the MLB as they begin to differentiate themselves from the early-season mirage.
These three players are taking their respective teams and are eligible for consideration for the MVP award when the season ends today.
3. Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees
When New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge rejected a $ 213 million contract extension on opening day, he and his camp knew he would have to perform at the MVP-level when he arrived at the free agency to get the kind of deal he wanted after the season. .
Well, that’s exactly what he’s doing, the best season of his career so far.
Judge .313 / .384 / .681 with 17 home runs, 37 runs, and 36 RBI with one MLB.
With fellow MVP candidate Mike Trout, he is leading the American League in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) 2.9, considering it an insane total we have not yet reached June.
The judge is determined to get to or exceed পরবর্তী 300 million in his next contract, and once he reaches free agency, at least a few parties will be willing to pay that price.
In the meantime, he’s doing what he knows: swing the bat and make some runs.
The Yankees are lucky to have him, and they wouldn’t be where they are without a judge.
Aaron Judge in 40 games 2017: .315 / .417 / .692, 15 HR, 30 RBI, 189 wRC +
Aaron Judge in 40 games 2022: .325 / .398 / .715, 17 HR, 34 RBI, 221 wRC
What he deserved five years ago will be voted on this year. MVP of the American League
– Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRurk) May 24, 2022
2. Mike Trout, Off, Los Angeles Angeles
Mike Trout missed most of the 2021 season with a Grade 2 calf strain that was worse than medical staff in Los Angeles could have imagined.
Without him, the Angels’ playoff hopes are out of the window.
This year, Trout is proving to those who say he’s not the hitter he used to be and he’s still the top offensive producer in the MLB.
So far, Trout is batting .310 / .415 / .655 12 home runs, 35 runs, and 26 RBIs for the surprisingly good Angels, who are battling for first place in the AL West division with the Houston Astros.
As long as Trout is healthy, he will make the same offensive numbers during his Hall of Fame career, subtracting stolen bases.
At 30, we can say with conviction that judging by his performance so far, Trout is far from finished: his 1.070 OPS leads in both leagues.
1. Manny Machado, 3B, San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are 28-16, just two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West.
Much of their success can be attributed to being an early-season favorite for the NL MVP Awards: Manny Machado.
Machado led the team when Fernando Tatis Jr. recovered from a wrist injury that has taken him away so far this season.
The bipartisan third baseman is cutting .361 / .437 / .590 with eight homers, 34 runs, 27 RBIs and even seven stealing bases.
In addition, he has become as elite as ever with a glove in hand.
If it weren’t for him, Padres would have no business hanging out with the Dodgers.
He has been the main reason why the Dodgers are still out of reach.
Once Tatis is healthy and the plate is in a groove, this team will be very hard to beat with its pitching depth and their two marquee sluggers.
Manny Machado’s chances of winning the National League MVP award have increased tenfold since the start of the season.
The odds of betting on the opening day indicate that Padres Man had a chance of only 2.9% – an increase of 30.8% as of today (per Cover)# Fathers pic.twitter.com/XlWtL8kjjz
– Pete Watt (attWattAreTheOdds) May 26, 2022