*All stats as of Sep 29, 2023
In this article, we will list the three best candidates for both the Major League Baseball American League and National League MVP awards.
Beginning in the American League:
1. Los Angeles Angel Shohei Ohtani is unreal. Even though he missed the last month of the season dealing with injuries, he has had one of the best seasons ever, hitting and pitching. As a hitter, his batting average is .304 with 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, and he has stolen 20 bases. As a pitcher, he had a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in just 132 innings. He made history left and right. The most impressive thing we thought he did was throw a shutout in the first game of a doubleheader and then hit 2 home runs in the next game.
2. Seattle Mariner Julio Rodriguez started the year off very slow, but after these past few months he has put himself into the MVP conversation. He is batting .280 and has 180 hits with 32 home runs and 103 RBIs, and he has also stolen 37 bases. He became the second Mariners player ever in the 30 homer and 30 stolen base club. Not to mention he put the Mariners in the playoff race and played Gold Glove-level defense.
3. Like Ohtani, Texas Ranger Corey Seager missed a decent amount of games. However, Seager is batting .332 with 33 home runs and 96 RBIs, with two stolen bases, and has played some great defense while leading the Rangers to one of their best seasons in years.
All of these players have made their cases for the MVP, but we still think Ohtani will come out on top.
The NL MVP race will surely be very contested.
1. Ronald Acuna, Jr.: He has had a record-breaking season with a .336 batting average, 41 homers, 105 RBI, and 70 stolen bases. When you walk Ronald Acuna Jr., he will beat you on the bases, and when you pitch to him, he’ll send you deep.
2. Mookie Betts: Mookie has had an incredible season this year with a .308 batting average, 39 home runs, 106 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Mookie doesn't have wheels like Acuna, but he has put up equal batting stats that are incredible, and Mookie has made a massive adjustment from outfield to infield and still is stelar on defense.
3. Freddie Freeman: Freeman has put up good stats too, but it might not be enough to beat the others. He had a good season with a .331 batting average, 28 home runs, 101 RBI and 23 stolen bags. Freddie has been good this season on offense and defense.
All players have had good seasons, but the player we think will win is the guy who is taking over the league with his speed and cannon of an arm: Ronald Acuna, Jr.
Source:Baseball Reference