Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts to his solo homerun for a 1-1 tie with the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 2, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 25
Next
Didi Gregorius
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 24: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees his a single in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on April 24, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

18. Didi Gregorius

Anyone who claims they predicted New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius would be the leading candidate for AL MVP after the first month of the season is either a liar or someone who should be spending more time at the racetrack betting the ponies. Gregorius drove in eight runs at the Yankees home opener, and he has not slowed down the entire month.

As April comes to a close, Gregorius leads the major leagues with 10 home runs, 30 RBI and a .735 slugging percentage. His rise has been simply staggering. Always a free swinger, the 28-year-old has already walked 18 times on the year against only 16 strikeouts. He has not walked more than 30 times in a season since 2015, but should be there by the middle of May. Combine that exponential improvement in plate discipline with strong bat-to-ball skills (he has struck out in only 14 percent of his career plate appearances), an appreciation for launch angle and a short porch at Yankee Stadium, and it’s easy to see why Gregorius is setting the world on fire.

Gregorius has improved every year he has been with the Yankees, but this is another level. Until he shows signs of slowing down, there is no reason to believe an epic collapse is coming. It is highly improbable that Gregorius will carry a .700 slugging percentage the rest of the year, but he could definitely stay in the MVP discussion.

If anything, Gregorius stands to benefit when Gary Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton begin to hit. When that does happen, the Yankees lineup will be impossible to pitch to.

Home/MLB