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) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 14: Anthony Rendon #4 of the Los Angeles Angels answers questions during an introductory press conference at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on December 14, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – DECEMBER 14: Anthony Rendon #4 of the Los Angeles Angels answers questions during an introductory press conference at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on December 14, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 3B. 102. Los Angeles Angels. Anthony Rendon. 4. player

The second Angels player on this list and they are not done. It feels as though people forgot that Anthony Rendon, World Series champion and third-place finisher in NL MVP voting in 2019, went West when he signed a stunning deal with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason. It caught many off guard but gave the Angels the best trio of hitters in baseball. Pairing Rendon with Mike Trout instantly brings the team some needed help for the best player in baseball in the form of one of the games most underrated.

Rendon signed with the Angels for a 7-year, $245 million contract to be the Robin to Trout’s Batman. One heck of a role and one the Angels have needed to fill for years. Now, can Rendon produce in the American League? Survey says more than likely. Rendon has been solid to incredible his entire career. 2019 was far and away his best, but little do people know that he has finished in the Top 10 of MVP voting three times in his career.

Rendon’s numbers last season were unbelievable. He led the league in RBI’s with a career-high 126. Add in the fact that he had the most doubles for a second straight year, hit a career-high 34 home runs and produced a dazzling 1.010 OPS. Numbers of a champion, literally. Adding these to the Angels lineup not only put them in a spot of competing for the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

Being able to bat before or after the best player in the game can only make his numbers better one would think. Crazy, considering what he produced last year. But having that protection one way or another will help both. If one was to predict how new manager Joe Maddon will handle the lineup, there’s a fair chance one of these two hit second and the other hits third with Ohtani batting in the four-hole. If you are the Angels fan, the excitement has to be at an all-time high.

Three MVP candidates on one team. Two of which should be considered favorites to duel with each other to be called the MVP. Rendon has the opportunity of his career to be even better this season. Even if it’s only 60 games.

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