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MLB Power Rankings 2018: Mookie Betts or Mike Trout for MVP?

By Adam Strangis

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 12: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is safe at third on a RBI double by Justin Upton #8 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as he beats the tag by Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 12: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is safe at third on a RBI double by Justin Upton #8 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as he beats the tag by Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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We’re a little past a quarter of the way into the 2018 Major League Baseball season and the MVP races are already starting to heat up.

It’s been an interesting season so far around the majors. The American League has some pretty clear cut choices, especially at the top. There’s quite a few players on the cusp of being featured intros article and maybe they’ll break through next month. In the National League, players like Lorenzo Cain for the Brewers and Ozzie Albies deserve some attention. It’s a shame that the San Francisco Giants don’t get a lot of publicity on the East Coast because first baseman Brandon Belt is having an excellent season to this point. These players are knocking on the door but are still on the outside looking in.

One of the most intriguing cases is on the Los Angeles Angels. We’ll get to the obvious choice from that squad in a bit, but how does one go about measuring the value for Shohei Ohtani? Offensively, he has a higher wOBA than players like Tommy Pham, Francisco Lindor, Charlie Blackmon and Bryce Harper. His pitching can’t be ignored, obviously.

His ERA would be better than pitchers such as Dallas Keuchel, Zack Grienke, Carlos Carassco and Stephen Strasburg. He has a combined WAR of 1.8, which is just outside the top 20 for offensive players and in the top 12 for just pitchers. He’s 23 and learning how to play in America. What he’s doing is nothing short of astonishing, but he’s not going to sniff the MVP this season. Ohtani is the most unique player in the majors and must see every time he plays. He’s also not on the short list of MVP candidates as of now. So who is? Let’s find out.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits homer off of Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa during the fourth inning on February 26, 2018 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits homer off of Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jorge De La Rosa during the fourth inning on February 26, 2018 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

5. Nolan Arenado, Third Baseman for the Colorado Rockies

47 GP, .320/.416/.558, 9 HR, 27 RBI, .411 wOBA, 2.0 WAR

Arenado has been major catalyst so far for the Rockies being the N.L. West leaders as of May 28. His power isn’t quite as good as it normally has been but he’s hitting for what would be a career high in batting average, which is not the worst tradeoff. His WAR has him tied for 16th in baseball and the Rockies wouldn’t be where they are without him. He’s one of the best defensive third baseman in the majors and may regard him as the best.

The Rockies may have a small advantage when it comes to compiling offensive numbers since they play at Coors Field, the best hitters park in baseball. Arenado isn’t immune to that effect as his numbers are significantly better at home. However, the Rockies haven’t played at home e a lot yet and when they did, temperatures were below freezing often. The Colorado superstar hasn’t even gotten hot yet. If Colorado can hang onto the division all the way until the end of the season and Arenado continues on this offensive pace, it will be hard to look over him for the National League MVP.

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