Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Bryce Harper is the NL MVP… right?

By Brad Rowland

Washington Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) singles to right during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) singles to right during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Rookie of the Year

  1. Carlos Correa, SS Houston Astros – The youngster has cooled off after a blazing start, but my money is on Correa. He sports a 139 wRC+ at shortstop with 16 home runs and 11 stolen bases in fewer than 300 plate appearances, and those paces are just too good to be true given his age. Correa’s impact has also been felt on the pennant race, and even if that shouldn’t matter, it ultimately will in the voting.
  2. Francisco Lindor, SS Cleveland Indians – Lindor is making a charge at Correa on the fWAR leaderboard among AL rookies, trailing his fellow shortstop by only 0.2 at this point. Defense is the calling card for Lindor right now, where he already ranks among the game’s best, but a high batting average (.307) has drawn attention. He isn’t the hitter that Correa is right now, but given his glove, Lindor is in the mix.
  3. Miguel Sano, 3B/DH Minnesota Twins – Sano has appeared in only 49 MLB games, but his impact is already being felt. For reference, Sano has blasted 13 home runs during that short time, and his .287/.398/.591 slash line (171 wRC+) surpasses even that of Correa right now. The argument against Sano is that he got a late start and he has had no impact (read: negative impact) defensively this season, but he is a star in waiting at the plate.

Next: NL Cy Young

Home/Chicago Cubs