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MLB Awards Watch: Josh Donaldson, Todd Frazier mount charge

By Brad Rowland

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Twins won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) stands in the outfield near the ivy during the fifth inning in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) stands in the outfield near the ivy during the fifth inning in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

NL MVP

  1. Bryce Harper, OF Washington Nationals – If you believe that anyone else holds the MVP lead in the National League, you’re getting too cute. Harper leads the NL in home runs (18), on-base percentage (.469), slugging percentage (.724), wOBA (.491), wRC+ (217) and fWAR (3.8) at this point in the season, and most of those categories aren’t even close. His divisive personality and playing style will always be an issue for some fans and pundits, but the ascension of Bryce Harper into the elite class has been swift and decisive.
  2. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B Arizona Diamondbacks – It’s a shame that Goldschmidt languishes in relative obscurity in Arizona, because the All-World first baseman is out of his mind this season. He trails only Harper in OBP (.459), slugging (.670) and wRC+ (199), and Goldschmidt actually outlasts the MVP leader in batting average (.351) and stolen bases (8) despite the profile of the traditional first baseman. It will be a tall task to catch Harper, but if Goldschmidt can go 40-20, that will make a sharp statement.
  3. Todd Frazier, 3B Cincinnati Reds – In the last four games, Todd Frazier is 10-for-15 with 4 doubles, 3 home runs and a 2.221 OPS (not a misprint). Of course, four games isn’t quite enough to vault anyone to MVP consideration, but Frazier has been tremendous all season long, posting a .287/.372/.624 slash line with 16 home runs (2nd in NL), 6 stolen bases and stellar defense at third base. Frazier is traditionally a very streaky player, so this could be somewhat of a mirage, but he’s a full-fledged stud in every regard.

Next: AL MVP

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