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MLB Awards Watch: Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa battle for AL Rookie of the Year

By Brad Rowland

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) smiles during the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) smiles during the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits an rbi single during the seventh inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits an rbi single during the seventh inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

AL MVP

  1. Josh Donaldson, 3B Toronto Blue Jays – It feels odd to consider that Donaldson looks like a runaway winner right now. That is, of course, because Mike Trout exists. However, Donaldson has the “best player on the best team” vote locked up, and he is highly deserving. He combines 39 home runs with triple-digit totals in both runs and RBI, and when that is paired with incredible defense, it forms a dominant combination.
  2. Mike Trout, OF Los Angeles Angels – Trout is in the midst of a “down” year because of his disastrous August, but his numbers are still outstanding. He actually outpaces Donaldson in OBP by 25 points while simultaneously leading in slugging (.580 to .574). If not for the edge that Donaldson holds on defense, they would have nearly identical WAR numbers. Still, team success matters (at least to some), and the Angels aren’t nearly in the same class as the Blue Jays right now.
  3. Manny Machado, 3B Baltimore Orioles – Machado has been obscenely good and he is still younger (23 years old) than Trout. The power breakout (29 HR, .491 slugging) has facilitated this jump in overall production for the young third baseman, but his defense remains in at an uber-elite level and there is even some speed (17 stolen bases) to boot. The gap is wider between Trout and everyone else than it is between Donaldson and Trout, though, and third place represents a challenger in name only.

Next: Ranking The Best Hitter All-Time From Every MLB Franchise

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