Fansided

MLB awards watch: MVP races

By John Buhler

May 20, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a two RBI single during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a two RBI single during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) rounds the bases on a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) rounds the bases on a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Place

American League

3

Corey Dickerson

LF, Tampa Bay Rays

Who outside of Central Florida would have thought that the Tampa Bay Rays would be in the thick of things in the AL East and the wild card race through the first three months? It doesn’t matter the size of the payroll, it’s about the size of the heart of the players on this baseball team.

The best player on the Rays all season has been left fielder Corey Dickerson. He is hitting .332 on the year with a .372 on-base percentage and a .586 slugging percentage. Dickerson has 101 hits on the year and has scored 57 runs for Tampa Bay. He has 17 home runs, 39 runs batted in and a 3.1 WAR.

National League

3

Ryan Zimmerman

1B, Washington Nationals

Will this be the year that the Nationals advance to the NLCS? Washington is one of only two professional baseball franchises that have never played in a World Series. First things first, win the division to win in the NLDS. Do they have the mental fortitude to do it?

Well, if first baseman Ryan Zimmerman continues to play out of his mind, Washington has a great chance to represent the Senior Circuit in the Fall Classic in 2017. He might only have a 2.5 WAR, but Zimmerman is hitting .340 with a .382 on-base percentage and a .637 slugging percentage. Zimmerman has 89 hits, scored 50 runs, hit 19 home runs and knocked in 51 runs.

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