MLB: MVP Predictions Through First 50 Games

Photo Credit: Ted Berg – USA Today

Bryce Harper, right fielder of the Washington Nationals, is an immediate and suitable candidate that comes to mind for the MVP voting thus far. He has put up astonishing numbers and either leads the league in several categories or ranks close to the top.

His 18 homeruns are only matched with one other player for the league lead, that being Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners. His .325 batting average ranks eighth within the entire MLB, and leads the league in on-base percentage(.468), slugging percentage (.733), and walks (44).

On top of that, he has ultimately carried the team to a 28-22 record and has been on fire this past month, hitting .395 with 13 homeruns. He has been nothing short of amazing and has finally proven what was expected from him when he was called up. In previous years, inconsistent and overrated are just some of the labels critics have given him, but this year, I’m happy to say I oblige to disagree.

Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez of Star-Telegram

Prince Fielder, designated hitter and first baseman of the Texas Rangers, is taking MLB by storm. Plagued with injuries and an overall abysmal slump in his 47 games last year, many thought Fielder may not be the same again.

However Fielder is lighting up opposing pitchers this season with an American League leading batting average of .361, along with his uncanny ability to knock runners home, as he is fifth in MLB in RBI with 38.

Fielder is back to his normal game-changing self, including scoring yesterday’s game winning run all the way from first base in Josh Hamilton’s walk-off double.

If Fielder can help carry his team to the division lead in the AL West over the Houston Astros who have a five game lead as of now, don’t be surprised if he manages to take home his first MVP.

Who would be surprised if I included Miguel Cabrera? There’s not a person I can think of. Cabrera, First baseman of the Detroit Tigers, has been in the top ten in MVP voting for each of the past six seasons, including five top five results and two MVP trophies.

Photo by Kevin Michell of TodaysKnuckleBall.com

Many label the best hitter of his generation, as he boasts 11 consecutive 100+ RBI seasons, nine 30+ homerun seasons, and nine seasons of a .300 batting average or more, Cabrera continues to dominate MLB pitching.

With 11 homeruns, a batting average of .333, and an AL-leading OBP with .441, Cabrera looks to fend off competition for a third MVP trophy. It’s also important to note that Cabrera’s fielding has vastly improved, accounting for no errors this year, which is uncommon.

Cabrera’s consistent impact and reliability is so prevalent in his contribution today that, at age 32, he validates his label of being the greatest of his generation.

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Adrian Gonzalez, first baseman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is another MVP candidate. The 33-year-old has been stunning over the course of his first 50 games.

While somewhat diminishing in the month of May, hitting only .286 compared to .383 in April, Gonzalez still is dangerous enough to be on this list. With a .324 batting average and notching 10 homeruns, Gonzalez has proven himself to be not just the most balanced, but the most valuable player on his team.

What many thought was a fading star who wasn’t as powerful as he used to be, Gonzalez has revitalized his career for a noteworthy season that deserves the highest of honors. An impressive divisional lead over the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers are a legitimate threat again thanks in part to Gonzalez’s contribution.

Lastly, the King has to be on this list for his exceptional year thus far, as Felix Hernandez is proving to be at the very least a guaranteed Cy Young winner.

Photo by Associated Press

King Felix, ranking seventh in ERA (1.91), first in wins (eight), first in win percentage, first in completed games, first in shutouts, and eighth in strikeouts (71), the dominant righty has to be in consideration.

Having been the only pitcher on the Mariners rotation with a below 3.00 ERA, Hernandez has done his fair share of putting the team in the position to at least be close to .500. On pace to having his best  year where he just recently notched his 2,000 career strike out, Hernandez looks to reclaim the Cy Young once more as well as his first ever MVP.

With all facts considered, Bryce Harper is the favorite to win the MVP award. With the Nationals always needing that one power hitter to rely upon and carry the team, Harper has stood up and stepped forward. After a few years of overrated labels and inconsistent dominance, Harper looks to shut critics up, including myself.

Harper has served his #1 overall pick hype well this year, carrying the Nationals to a current division lead. Each player I have named has, in a way, redeemed themselves this year, where each of their spectacular performances are shedding light on strengths that may have been hidden for the past few years.

This redemption, in effect, has brought a lot of excitement to baseball this year, and entails something we don’t usually see in baseball, with it being such an unpredictable sport. All candidates are worthy of receiving the award, and I expect one of these to take the award home by the time the season is all said and done.