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The American League MVP Race - Who is leading the pack?



By Scott Edwards
Twitter: @scottedwards18

As we approach the half way point of the MLB season, the AL MVP race begins to heat up with most of the dominant hitters in the MLB coming from the American League this season. From the impressive, historic start to the season by Mookie Betts, to the continued greatness of Mike Trout, this AL MVP race is truly the award race to follow this season. And so, as we are at the half way point, I felt it would be a good time to give an overview of who is leading and who has a chance to take it home by season’s end.

Simply put, when all is said and done, Mike Trout could go down as the best baseball player to ever step on a field. At the young age of 26 years old, Trout is already a two-time MVP and six time all-star. And if we are being truly honest, he easily could have had another three MVP’s if it wasn't for three second place finishes. Yet miraculously, this year may somehow be Trout’s best campaign to date. The Angels’ star outfielder is hitting .335 (as of 6/21; 4th in AL), leading the circuit in HR and runs with 23 and 60. Trout is a player who can do it all and just impresses you every time he takes the field. Truthfully, he has become everything that the MLB wished Bryce Harper could be. And with a career WAR that has surpassed hall of famers like Vlad Guerrero and Ichiro, he only will continue to get better. He hasn’t run away with the AL MVP just yet, but he is certainly beginning to.

Mookie Betts was the hottest player in baseball for the first two months of the season, at one point hitting over .360. However, injuries have led Betts to cooling off just a little, as he now sits at an AL 2nd best .341 AVG though 57 games played. Right, cooled off I said. That’s how impressive this guy has been when healthy this season. Missing such a big batch of games could hurt his MVP possibilities, but his stat line of .344/19 HR/39 RBI with 14 SB and 56 runs is absolutely mind blowing, especially as a lead off hitter. The second half of this MLB season will be an amazing time to watch these two world class players continue to impress on the baseball field.

Indians 3B Jose Ramirez, Astros SP Justin Verlander, and Red Sox DH/LF JD Martinez close out the top five in the AL MVP race this season, with all of then having absolutely scorching seasons at the plate and on the mound. Ramirez is hitting an impressive .291 with 22 HR, 50 RBI, and 10 SB while Verlander is the clear leader for the AL Cy Young with a 9-2 record and a stellar, MLB-leading 1.60 ERA. And Martinez, who’s stock is hurt because he classifies more so as a DH, still boasts a .312/22 HR/55 RBI stat line is easily among the best in the MLB.

1. Mike Trout
2. Mookie Betts
3. Jose Ramirez
4. Justin Verlander
5. JD Martinez

Agree with me? Disagree with me? Just like the piece? Let me know!
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