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MLB awards watch: MVP races

By John Buhler

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 09: Jose Altuve No. 27 of the Houston Astros hits a double in the 3rd inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 09: Jose Altuve No. 27 of the Houston Astros hits a double in the 3rd inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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We’re entering the home stretch in the MLB. Let’s take a look back at the guys that could be in line to win AL and NL MVP awards this season in baseball.

With five of the six months of the 2017 MLB season in the books, we’re in that home stretch, guys. There are a handful of teams that have series World Series aspirations. Some clubs aren’t so lucky. Sure, they’ve got that cool, young prospect they’re going to check out in September, but no postseason for that mediocre team.

Now that the calendar is flipping from August to September, let’s take a few minutes to see who could be coming home with some hardware. Here are the five leading candidates for American League and National League MVP through August.

Fifth Place

American League

5

Mike Trout

Outfield, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

He may have only played in 86 games so far this season, but it’s not debatable about how the best pure talent in the American League is. It’s Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Mike Trout and it’s not particularly close. Even in a down year, he’s still one of the best players in baseball.

Trout has a ridiculous 5.4 WAR on the year. He is hitting .318 with an on-base percentage of .452 and a slugging percentage of .646. Trout has 26 home runs and 60 runs batted in despite playing three-fifths of the season. He hasn’t played enough to win his third AL MVP, but Trout is still in the running for it shockingly.

National League

5

Charlie Blackmon

Outfield, Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is in the midst of his best season in the big leagues. He’s absolutely raking at the plate. His big bushy beard, his speed on the base path and his wild card contending Rockies make him a fun inclusion in the late season National League MVP watch.

Blackmon has a 4.9 WAR. He is hitting an absurd .339 at the plate with 31 home runs and 83 runs batted in. Flying around the bases, Blackmon has a staggering 14 triples, has scored 119 runs and has 181 hits. If his Rockies were leading the National League West, it would only amplify his candidacy for NL MVP.

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