NL MVP Power Rankings: Where things stand entering September
By Jake Oliver
No. 2 NL MVP Power Rankings: Nolan Arenado, Third Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals
Make no mistake about it, Nolan Arenado is a legitimate NL MVP candidate. He has been playing amazing baseball both on the field and at the plate. He raised his level of play to a beyond elite level in the month of August that was only topped by one other player in the National League.
In 24 games during August, Arenado has hit at a rate of .366/.418/.731/1.149. This proves that he’s been playing out of his mind. He has 34 hits, 8 home runs, 10 doubles, 25 RBI, 7 walks, and only 12 strikeouts while playing his firebrand version of baseball. Nolan’s kept up his elite defense as well. No wonder the Cardinals are playing such great baseball and extending their NL Central lead.
On the season, Arenado has been 1/2 of the most dominating duo of baseball hitters all season in the Cardinals’ lineup. In 118 games, Arenado has a batting line of .306/.370/.567/.937 with 27 home runs, 34 doubles, 85 RBI, 42 walks, and only 63 strikeouts. The man just can’t strike out!
Arenado has a 166 OPS+ on the season while being worth 7 wins above replacement. On defense, he’s been worth 1.8 WAR and has 15 defensive runs saved. Arenado has just been a terrific player on both sides of the ball he battles his teammate for his first-ever NL MVP award.