Fansided

Top 10 AL MVP candidates in a shortened MLB season

By Scott Edwards

ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 14: Mike Trout #27 and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels get ready to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 14, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 14: Mike Trout #27 and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels get ready to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 14, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 14: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians looks on during the first game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins on September 14, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 14: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians looks on during the first game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins on September 14, 2019 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. Cleveland Indians. player. 5. Scouting Report. SS. Francisco Lindor. 5

There may not be a more likable player in baseball than Francisco Lindor. And while that doesn’t necessarily win you awards, it helps that Lindor happens to be one of the most talented players in all of baseball. He’s also one of those guys that leave you wanting a little more from him each season. A 60 game explosion from the forever smiling shortstop could not only get him an MVP but give him the final step into the conversations as one of the games elite.

Some may see Lindor as an elite player already, but that conversation is truly an exclusive class. Lindor has been great in his career but one dominant season remains missing. Last season after returning from injury, his play was much of the same. 32 home runs, 74 RBI, 22 stolen bases, and one phenomenal display of defense to win him the Gold Glove. All is good from Lindor, but again, there’s something missing.

The reason he sits No. 5 on this list is due to the potential he still contains. He is able to deliver these numbers despite the fact that he is clearly in the worst lineup of all the players on this top 10. The Cleveland Indians have never been a team to pay millions to keep guys. That’s not how they are built. Making it even more important for Lindor to perform with his contract being up after next season. There is no clear road as to how the next year or two will go for baseball as a whole, so what he can do is show out on the field.

His five-tool ability at shortstop makes him probably the best at the position. Last season was his worst MVP finish in his career when playing over 100 games. He finished 15th. His first three saw him at ninth, fifth, and sixth respectively. Clearly the voters appreciate his offensive talents and defensive prowess. If he can find that average again and combine it with the power he has displayed the past two seasons, the MVP will be calling his name.

Lindor is that guy the league wants to see succeed. He’s marketable in every single way, much like Ken Griffey Jr. was. Big smile, dominant play. This 60 game season could be the chance for him to finally shine that full potential on the league.

Home/MLB