MLB Awards Watch: Corey Seager separates from the pack

Chicago Cubs. Kris Bryant. 1. player. 9. <p>The Cubs hold the best record in the National League, and while I don’t always care about team-based success, that tidbit certainly won’t hurt Kris Bryant in MVP candidacy. Beyond that, though, Bryant leads the NL in both fWAR (5.1) and bWAR (5.1) among position players, and the gap is a fairly comfortable one. He brings power (25 HR, .550 slugging) to the table in a major way, and Bryant’s defense continues to grade out quite well, which is made more impressive by his versatility.</p>. 3B/OF

Washington Nationals. Daniel Murphy. 2. player. 90. <p>Daniel Murphy has been the best offensive player in the National League this season and I am as surprised as you are. Most people (myself included) assumed that Murphy’s late breakout in 2015 was simply a mirage, but his 2016 numbers are off the charts. Murphy leads the NL in wRC+ and offensive WAR (by Baseball-Reference), and his slash line of .355/.392/.620 is jarringly good. Murphy isn’t the best defensive player in the world, but he isn’t awful either, and when a second baseman leads the league in slugging, it is time to take notice.</p>. 2B

Clayton Kershaw. 3. player. 71. <p>While it may not torpedo his Cy Young efforts, Kershaw’s injury is going to hurt him in terms of an MVP pursuit. The left-hander still leads all NL players in fWAR while trailing only Bryant in bWAR, but as Kershaw’s workload decreases when compared to his contemporaries, he’ll need to be even more dominant to keep up. I wouldn’t put anything past him, but pitchers are already at a disadvantage and Kershaw is now fighting an uphill battle for the MVP award.</p>. SP. Los Angeles Dodgers