Every season we expect Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels to put his name among the list of top MVP candidates in the American League. He never disappoints. Trout is off to a strong start to the 2017 season but he has some company in the early MVP discussion. Here is a look at the top early season American League MVP candidates.
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Trout has hit .355 with eight home runs, 21 RBI and five stolen bases already this season. His numbers might look even better if it wasn’t for a nagging hamstring injury that has him listed as day-to-day. Trout is on pace to hit 42 home runs, 54 doubles and record 30 stolen bases. Those are ridiculous offensive numbers for an outfielder that performs at a high level defensively as well. Based on the offensive production alone, this is Trout’s best start to a season in his career. It only makes sense that Trout is at the top of our list when it comes to early season AL MVP candidates.
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
The evil empire is back in New York. The Yankees have won 21 of their first 31 games and are right there with the Baltimore Orioles competing for top spot in the AL East. Judge has been a big part of the club’s resurgence with his monster offensive numbers. Judge has hit .317 with 13 home runs, 28 RBI and 28 runs scored. The rookie outfielder will be in tough to keep up his current pace but there is no doubt he is in the early season MVP conversation. If Judge somehow keeps up his current pace, he will challenge Trout for MVP honors.
Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
With a number of Cleveland’s sluggers struggling with consistency, Lindor has led the way at the plate. Lindor has hit .283 with eight home runs and 23 runs scored so far this season. He’s already halfway to his 2016 home run total of 15. While his defensive numbers haven’t been as solid as in past years, we can the 2016 Gold Glove winner to steadily improve in that area as the season progresses. Cleveland needs Lindor to perform at an elite level in order to get back to the postseason. Right now he is in the early season MVP conversation.
Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
Could Mookie Betts be in the conversation for American League MVP? The power numbers don’t look fantastic but remember, he’s a solid all-around player. He only has five home runs – one of which was the game-winner that he clubbed in Milwaukee on Thursday. However, he has 22 RBI’s on the season, which is pretty good. He also has 16 runs, four stolen bases and he’s batting .311 with an on-base percentage of .391.
When you take a look at how the numbers stack up, Betts is right there. His batting average is ninth in the American League. In terms of runs, he’s tied for 27th but he’s just five outside of the Top 10. His on-base percentage is ninth and his 1.4 WAR has him tied for 14th as well. These are pretty solid numbers on a team that should be one of the best in the MLB this year. If he keeps it up, expect him to be in the conversation for Most Valuable Player in the American League by the end of the year.
Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
The final spot on this list belongs to a player that has been excellent on both sides of the ball. Machado has performed at a high level defensively while also helping carry the load for Baltimore at the plate. Machado’s average is down right now but he has eight home runs and 21 RBI. Perhaps just as importantly, the Orioles are contending for the best record in the American League. Machado will need to improve his batting average after the Orioles as a team underachieved on offense throughout the first couple of months of the season. Considering he hit .294 a year ago, it won’t be a surprise if Machado gets his average up this month.
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