Early Season AL MVP Race

"All World All Sports"

-Digger's Daily-

As the 2010 Major League Baseball season nears its' halfway point a few players stand out above the rest. Five AL players performances have created MVP buzz talk. Their on field contributions have directly led to their teams success. It's too early to declare any one player a front runner. Anything can happen with over 80 games to play. Time for a quick look at the AL's leading first half candidates.

Justin Morneau (1B-MIN) - AL 2006 MVP is perhaps the major factor behind Minnesota leading the Central. Morneau's numbers are outstanding. Batting .340, 1.070 OPS, 20 2B, 15 HR, 47 RBI and AL best .448 OBA. He's been getting it done without much lineup protection. His defense has been nearly flawless with only 1 error in 63 starts at 1B.

Robinson Cano (2B-NYY) - Cano has been a hitting machine while playing Gold Glove caliber defense at 2B. Heading into '10, a few wondered if Cano would be a productive #5 hitter in New York's prolific attack. He's been sensational. AL leading 100 hits &.365 BA, 21 2B, 14 HR, 49 RBI & just 1 error in 367 chances. Cano has developed into AL best 2B. Perhaps, the best 2B in the majors.

Josh Hamilton (OF-TEX) - How hot is hot? Hamilton is on fire. His numbers are getting better each month. June will be hard to duplicate (.474 BA, 14 extra base hits in 19 games). 3rd in AL in hits (91), HR (16), RBI (52) & top 5 in most other major statistical categories.

Miguel Cabrera (1B-DET) - Detroit's 1B is one of the most consistent heavy hitters in the majors. He's on pace to exceed his career seasonal averages. If one equates MVP candidates by how their teams perform, Cabrera might be tops on the list. AL leading 19 HR, 60 RBI, .632 SLG. He's never finished higher than 4th in MVP voting.

Keep an eye on... Vladmir Guerrero, Kevin Youkilis, Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre.

MLB MVP Races Part II

All World All Sports Blogs

-Digger's Daily-

Pennant fever is in full swing. Each year a handful of players turn it on during baseball's final month. Determining MVP winners brings about many philosophical considerations and one never knows how a votes will be cast. What does MVP mean has been subject of many debates. Will the player with best statistics win? Will the award go to a player who helps his team win the most games? How will personal popularity (or negativity) figure into things? Ted Williams once lost out on MVP honors due to a sportswriter from his home town refusing to vote for him. Talk about being spiteful.

Here's my short list of American League candidates heading into baseball's final month. All have their merits.

Joe Mauer (MIN) - Mauer's one of the main reasons Minnesota still has a shot at qualifying for the playoffs. He's been on fire nearly all season long. Stunning stat line for a catcher - .367 BA, 25 HR, 79 RBI, 1.044 OPS. Not a single month batting below .300 and playing excellent defense. He's lived up to projected star status. MVP profile will increase with a strong September finish.

Miguel Cabrera (DET) - He's been Detroit's biggest offensive weapon all year long. .335, 30 2B, 27 HR, 82 RBI, .962 OPS. A pure hitter who fears no pitcher. Not even as a green rookie facing Roger Clemens in the 2003 World Series. He homered on the very next pitch after a high and tight Clemens brush back pitch. It's been all systems go since. He's a legit MVP candidate. Fate may rest on whether or not Detroit wins AL Central. As of now, Cabrera's my pick based on lack of a supporting cast. All other mentioned candidates have teammates enjoying big seasons at the dish. Not in Tigerland.

Derek Jeter (NYY) - Jeter has been the Yanks catalyst. As soon as he got hot in July, the Yankees started winning. Yanks now own baseball's best record and it coincides with Jeter's performance. He's about to become the Yanks all time leading hitter which speaks volumes of his historic career. .334, 94 R, 25 2B, 17 HR, 23 SB, career best .987 FP. Derek might get hurt in MVP selection by teammates receiving votes (Teixeira, Damon, Cano & Rivera).

Kendry Morales (LAA) - Morales is having a superb first full MLB season. LA has had multiple player injuries and Kendry has been the lineups mainstay. Stat line: .311, 34 2B, 30 HR, 94 RBI, .948 OPS. He's having a huge 2nd half helping LA maintain their AL West lead over Texas (.361, 15 HR, 39 games). He's red hot and if this keeps up in September play then don't be surprised if Morales walks away with MVP hardware.

As of this moment, these four represent my odds on favorites. If voting was held today, my pick for MVP goes to Miguel Cabrera or Derek Jeter (split). Keep an eye on these players too. All are deserving and could improve their chances with strong September results. Michael Young (TEX), Mark Teixeira (NYY), Robinson Cano (NYY), Johnny Damon (NYY), Kevin Youkilis (BOS), Justin Morneau (MIN) and Aaron Hill (TOR).

Stay tuned this week for my Cy Young candidates. Final MVP & Cy Young selections will be made once the 2009 season has completed.

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