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MLB Awards Watch: The final ballot

By Brad Rowland

American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) of the Toronto Blue Jays after hitting a lead off home run against the National League during the first inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) of the Toronto Blue Jays after hitting a lead off home run against the National League during the first inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) rounds the bases after he hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) rounds the bases after he hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

AL MVP

  1. Mike Trout, OF Los Angeles Angels – Trout was bad in August and he still managed to put together the best profile on the way to an MVP nod. His August swoon (.218 average, 1 home run) is well documented, but Trout was arguably best player in baseball for the rest of the campaign, finishing with 41 home runs and a 172 wRC+. Defensive metrics don’t treat him as kindly as the eye test does, but even if you accept them on the surface, they didn’t stop Trout from finishing at the top of the AL in both fWAR (9.0) and bWAR (9.4). With all due respect to Josh Donaldson, the team success sustained by the Blue Jays isn’t enough to make up that difference.
  2. Josh Donaldson, 3B Toronto Blue Jays – Donaldson may very well win the award based on the “best player on the best team” corollary. He is certainly deserving given what he was able to accomplish this season, with 41 home runs (.568 slugging percentage) and some of the best defense in the league at third base, but team success is only a tie-breaker and, well, Donaldson and Trout shouldn’t be tied. That shouldn’t detract from what was a spectacular season, though, and there will be little to no outrage from me should he win the award.
  3. Manny Machado, 3B Baltimore Orioles – Machado was just ridiculous this season while playing at the ages of 22 and 23. He finished third in the AL in fWAR (6.8) on the strength of a sustained power breakout, as Machado blasted 35 home runs with a slugging percentage north of .500. He is still known for his glove above all, and that is justified in that he is elite at third base, and Machado also brings speed (20 SB) to the table. He is the total package and an easy choice for every third-place ballot.

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