Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Apr 15, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado throws to first base for an out during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado throws to first base for an out during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

AL MVP

  1. Manny Machado, 3B Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles have the best record in the American League and Manny Machado is their prized piece. Machado’s slash line (.383/.431/.723) speaks for itself, but he adds a 234 wRC+ and four home runs with elite defense to boot. Obviously, we are nitpicking at this point in the calendar, but you can’t go wrong with Machado at the top of a mythical MVP ballot in mid-April.
  2. Josh Donaldson, 3B Toronto Blue Jays – These top two spots could easily resemble an end-of-year ballot, right? Donaldson is amazing and we all know that, but he has been fantastic in 2016 to this point. In 14 games, Donaldson has combined his always lights-out defense with a .309/.377/.691 slash line and five home runs, while leading Toronto’s torrid offense. He’s a monster in every way.
  3. Mark Trumbo, OF Baltimore Orioles – Trumbo isn’t nearly the defensive player that Machado is (or, really, even an adequate defensive player), but his bat has been insane in 2016. The masher already has five home runs in just 46 plate appearances, and with a .750 (!) slugging percentage on a first-place team, it just fits. The Trumbo revolution is real… for now.
Home/Baltimore Orioles