While Cody Bellinger has won his first Most Valuable Player Award, Mike Trout now has done it three times. Indeed, it’s alright to start asking if Mike Trout is the best player of your lifetime if you’re age-50 or younger. On the other hand, some may be wondering if Bellinger is on his way to a similar run as Trout since he won the award during his age-23 season.
𝗠𝗩𝗣 𝘅𝟯
For the third time in his career, @MikeTrout is your BBWAA AL Most Valuable Player! pic.twitter.com/gOllaWdcj3
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) November 14, 2019
Trout received 17 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, with Bregman receiving the other 13. Moreover, Trout’s 8.6 FanGraphs wins above replacement was just slightly ahead of Bregman’s 8.5, making it the sixth time in eight seasons he’s held such a distinction. Also, he set a career-high with 45 home runs in 2019.
At just age 28, Trout could win another MVP or two; and he should do it all in Los Angeles. Remember, he has ten years remaining on a 12-year extension he signed two years ago. This is good for the game of baseball.
Then, there’s Cody Bellinger. How did Bellinger hold off finalists Christian Yelich and Anthony Rendon; taking home 19 first-place votes?
The Most Valuable Player in the NL: Cody Bellinger. pic.twitter.com/4fIAbBbwgV
— MLB (@MLB) November 14, 2019
First, he ended the season with a .305/406/.629 slash line. This was good for a 1.035 OPS to go along with 47 home runs, 115 RBI, 108 walks and 121 runs. Also, he stole 15 bases in 20 attempts.
Second, he finished with a bWAR of 9.0; which will go down as one of the highest bWAR seasons for a position player in Dodgers’ history. Third, he won the gold glove and displayed his defensive skills at three different positions regularly for the Dodgers in 2019.
Finally, Bellinger was the best player on the field on most nights in the games he played in. Watch him sometime if you don’t already. Night over night, he typically will do something that makes you say ‘wow’.
If we are judging the sport by who wins the awards and not by the scandals ongoing, baseball is in a fine place.
