Quinn Trask
Every year in Major League Baseball, fans are treated to tight wild card races, historic runs and once in a life time moments. Sprinkled in are athletes that change the game, sell jerseys and make their case for Most Valuable Player. Here are my candidates from both the National and American League.
AL:
Chris Sale:
From the moment Chris Sale stepped on the mound at Fenway Park, he dominated. Every major stat category for Sale has improved in his one season with the Boston Red Sox and the AL has had no answer for him. For me, Sale is a lock to win the AL Cy Young and is a top bet for MVP.
Mike Trout:
Is it even a MVP discussion if Mike Trout isn’t in it? There’s not one thing Trout can’t do between the lines and his stats show it. Trout has carried the Angels this season and if it wasn’t for an injury that cost him six weeks, Trout would be running away with the race. Look for Trout to play his best ball down the stretch and try to solidify the Angels with a wild card spot and some additional hardware for the already decorated 26 year old.
NL:
Giancarlo Stanton:
Every single time I turn on any sports program, the highlight is the exact same. Giancarlo Stanton unloading on a ball and sending it into orbit. Stanton is already over 50 home runs, his OBPS is over 1.0 and his RBI total is his career best. Stanton’s power surge has him as a frontrunner in the NL MVP race.
Paul Goldschmidt:
Paul Goldschmidt is one of the best all-around hitters in the NL. He is the only hitter in the top five of each Triple Crown category and has kept the Arizona Diamondbacks competitive in the stacked NL West. If Goldy plays well down the stretch, he has a chance at the Triple Crown which would beef up his MVP case.