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MLB Awards Watch: Mike Trout and Josh Donaldson battle for AL MVP

By Brad Rowland

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) leaps but can't reach a home run hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (not pictured) in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) leaps but can't reach a home run hit by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (not pictured) in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Rookie of the Year

  1. Kris Bryant, 3B Chicago Cubs – Bryant holds a comfortable lead over the field in fWAR (4.7), and that is indicative of his overall value. It seems crazy that some viewed his debut season as a “disappointment” because of a relatively slow start in the power department, and Bryant now boasts a .481 slugging percentage to go along with 20 home runs in only 114 games. He has also excelled on the base paths (12 steals) and defensively, and with a .366 on-base percentage, there is nothing to pick apart with Bryant right now.
  2. Matt Duffy, 3B San Francisco Giants – Duffy just keeps hitting. He doesn’t have the talent of the other ROY candidates, but a .308/.345/.460 slash line keeps him firmly in the race, especially with a top-5 output among NL rookies in plate appearances. The power isn’t immense, as Duffy has only 10 home runs, but the Giants have unearthed yet another solid contributor, and the volume helps.
  3. Jung-ho Kang, SS/3B Pittsburgh Pirates – Randal Grichuk is right on the door step by nature of his rookie-leading 143 wRC+ (.561 slugging), but he is on the disabled list right now, and there is a hint of luck in play with a .376 BABIP and only a .333 on-base percentage. As for Kang, he has provided incredible defensive versatility for the Pirates, and he has been a wonder at the plate with 12 home runs and a .365 on-base percentage in nearly 400 plate appearances. It would shock me if Kang finished in the top-2, but his rookie campaign has been strong.

Next: AL Rookie of the Year

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