MLB awards watch: National League MVP race

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) hits a single during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals on April 14, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) hits a single during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals on April 14, 2019, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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April is coming to a close and the MLB regular-season is just shy of a month old. Therefore, these are the early-season leaders in the NL MVP race.

*All stats as of April 25. All ranks are NL ranks unless otherwise noted. 

Evaluating and listing these players must be done in a realistic manner. These are the current leaders as of now, which means none of these players are a lock to remain on this list all season.

However, at the same time, this list may also feature the player that will be crowned MVP at season’s end.

The National League has become packed with superstar talent. Manny Machado decided to stay in the NL West, and we already know about the long-time National Leaguers in Bryce Harper, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt and so on.

Over the last couple of seasons, that list has grew due to budding stars such as Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and last year’s MVP, Christian Yelich. This season, some up-and-coming rookies and youngsters will jot their name down too, forming an extremely deep crop of talent in the NL.

Before we breakdown the players that made this list, here are the honorable mentions: Paul DeJong and Marcell Ozuna, St. Louis Cardinals. Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves. Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers.