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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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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Cy Young

  1. David Price, Toronto Blue Jays – Price was dominant yet again in his last start against the Angels, striking out nine batters in eight innings, and his year-long stats are worthy of the nod. The left-hander has bounced from the Tigers to the Jays without missing a beat, and with a 2.40 ERA and 4.8 fWAR, the profile speaks for itself. He is the mix of strikeout dominance and ERA efficiency, and Price should get plenty of love in the voting, even in a wide-open race.
  2. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros – Keuchel has been in and out of the lead all season, and he has been the stronghold of Houston’s staff. The lack of strikeouts (7.86 per 9) is a bit alarming for a Cy Young candidate, but everything else looks fantastic, including a 2.37 ERA that ranks him second among AL starters. Advocates of advanced stats won’t love Keuchel, but he’s a stud.
  3. Sonny Gray, Oakland Athletics – Corey Kluber and Chris Sale have the eye-popping strikeout numbers and the AL lead in fWAR, but I’ll take Gray for this week. The youngster continues to lead the AL in ERA (2.10), and while his FIP is more than a full run higher (3.22), Gray has the look of a pitcher who could make that stick long-term. It will be interesting to see how his strikeout ability matures as he gets older, but the A’s have to love what they’ve seen to this point.

Next: NL MVP

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