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MLB Awards Watch: The expected arrival of Noah Syndergaard

By Brad Rowland

Apr 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) hits a single in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Giants 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) hits a single in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Giants 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) hits a home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

NL MVP

  1. Bryce Harper, OF Washington Nationals – Mike Trout may be the best baseball player on the planet, but if Bryce Harper hasn’t earned that title, it’s a close race. Harper is, once again, out of his mind to begin the 2016 season, blasting six home runs in 52 plate appearances on the way to a 220 wRC+ and a comical .854 slugging percentage. For good measure, Harper is running wild (three stolen bases) on the base paths, and his plate discipline (17.3% BB, 7.3% K) is just absurd at this point.
  2. Dexter Fowler, OF Chicago Cubs – It is Fowler that actually leads the NFL in fWAR, and he has been tremendous both offensively and defensively for Chicago. Some have probably already forgotten that Fowler was nearly pledged to the Orioles in the off-season, and when a guy puts up a .500 OBP over 13 games, it is easy to see why. I don’t think Fowler will be around the MVP pursuit all year, but he is deserving now.
  3. Nolan Arenado, 3B Colorado Rockies – Colorado sits in a tie for the NL West lead at this juncture, and Arenado deserves a nod for his tremendous play. Trevor Story has garnered all of the headlines, but Arenado now has six home runs and a .698 slugging percentage to go with his vacuum-level defense at the hot corner. There is no question as to who the centerpiece is with this particular organization.

Next: AL MVP

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