Fansided

MLB: 5 players who could steal the MVP from Mike Trout

By Ed Carroll

Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels holds up the MVP trophy after after the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels holds up the MVP trophy after after the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Sep 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) makes a diving catch on a ball hit by Cleveland Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) makes a diving catch on a ball hit by Cleveland Indians shortstop Jose Ramirez (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals

Alex Gordon had a better case for MVP at the beginning of the month, but a poor September has killed most realistic hopes of Gordon making a legit run at the award. Gordon’s still got pretty terrific stats that Royals fans should be proud of, but this month has been rough for Gordon, and by proxy, the Royals, as Gordon has 14 hits in his 76 at bats (.184 batting average), with one home run, four doubles and 14 walks.

Still, on the year, Gordon has been great, both with his bat and his glove (defense matters). Gordon has 19 home runs, 74 RBI, and is slashing .267/.351/.432, with 12 stolen bases (four in September, surprisingly enough) and a wOBA of .346. Those are pretty good numbers from your left fielder.

But as solid Gordon has been with the bat, he shines with the glove. If you’re the type of fan who enjoys a subjective statistic such as errors, he’s only made two of them. When you look at his Defensive Runs Saved, though, Gordon’s excellence shows through: in 2014, he’s saved 27 runs in left field, per DRS. Those are 27 runs he didn’t allow to score off his pitcher, and while DRS isn’t as easy to quantify as offensive statistics, it still shows how valuable Gordon has been this season.

Home/MLB