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Can anyone challenge Mike Trout and Freddie Freeman for MVP?

By Adam Strangis

ATLANTA, GA - June 01: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves prepares to bat during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on June 1, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.The Braves won 4-0. (Photo by Cameron Hart/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - June 01: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves prepares to bat during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on June 1, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.The Braves won 4-0. (Photo by Cameron Hart/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) /
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There’s still a long way to go in the MLB season but the MVP races are starting to  really separate in each league.

The American League really needs to learn how to spread the wealth here. They have about 10 players that could be challengers for an MVP award if they weren’t playing in the same league as Mike Trout(spoiler alert – he’s still number one on the list). I’ll wax nostalgic about how amazing he is a little bit later but for the first time all year, there will only be one player from the National League that will be featured.

Don’t get it wrong, there’s a lot of talented players in the N.L. You could argue for Nolan Arenado but Colorado isn’t having a great season overall. Could you say Lorenzo Cain with his 3.3 WAR and the Brewers having the best record in the N.L.? Sure but he just doesn’t quite seem like the MVP-type this year. It’s a clear front-runner in the National League so let’s take a look at the much more fun race in the American League.

The hardest player to leave off the list is Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. You can certainly make the argument that he’s been more valuable to the Yanks than some of the players on this list. However, I believe the players on the list are more well-rounded. Judge is basically 5B and is having a fantastic season. Please note that all stats are accurate as of Monday, June 25th.

CHICAGO – APRIL 22: Jose Altuve #7 of the Houston Astros bats against the Chicago White Sox on April 22, 2018 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jose Altuve
CHICAGO – APRIL 22: Jose Altuve #7 of the Houston Astros bats against the Chicago White Sox on April 22, 2018 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jose Altuve /

5. Jose Altuve, Second Base for the Houston Astros

.345 average, .897 OPS, .386 wOBA, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 3.6 WAR 

It should be no surprise that the Houston Astros are fighting for the best record in the majors and the heartbeat of their team is Jose Altuve. He doesn’t have the eye-popping power numbers as many of the A.L. leaders but that’s just not his game. He gets on base over 40 percent of the time and carries a very low strikeout rate. In this baseball environment, that’s a valuable skill set in and of itself. Many players are selling out for the long ball but Altuve keeps the offense churning with his all-around skills. He’s a very tough out and sets the table for the real power in the Houston lineup.

It might not be the fairest thing, but Altuve already winning the award and being the reigning MVP does enter the discussion. When he’s having a similar season, it’s hard to ignore that. Barring disaster, Houston is going to remain in contention for the best record the rest of the way. The discussion of “most valuable player” gets murky in a case like Altuve. He’s an incredible player and is deserving of all his accolades but let’s be honest – Houston would still be a pretty good team without him. I still tend to side with the best players, regardless of situation. The superstar for the Astros will be in the race until the very end.

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