Fansided

2023 AL MVP Power Rankings: Surprise dark horses join familiar leaderboard

By Marci Rubin

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his RBI double behind Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 19, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his RBI double behind Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 19, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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May 11, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) runs to first after hitting a single against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) runs to first after hitting a single against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2023 AL MVP predictions: 4. Wander Franco (Tampa Bay Rays), the breakout

Take notice of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. At just 22 years old, Franco has already dazzled in the field and at the plate. He was a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year two years ago at 20. He dealt with significant injuries in 2022 that caused him to miss about half of the games. In the past week, he’s been banged up with a shoulder injury and a minor hamstring issue, but he’s not expected to go on the IL. If Franco stays healthy this season, he should be near the top of the AL MVP rankings.

Franco is in the midst of a breakout season. He is slashing .305/3.67/.493. Franco stole eight bases in 83 games played last season. He has already stolen 21 bases this season through 56 games. In his last seven games, Franco is 12-for-27 with six stolen bases. As ranked by Bleacher Report, Franco is the number one shortstop in the MLB. Defensive metrics show he is a top-10 defensive shortstop. Franco is first in defensive runs saved by shortstops with nine DRS. Through the first third of the season, he currently leads MLB in bWAR with 3.6.

The Rays have been on fire so far this season. They currently sit at the top of the AL East standings with the Baltimore Orioles trailing them. After being eliminated in the Wild Card round of the playoffs last season, the Rays are looking to make their fifth-straight postseason appearance this fall. Franco has already helped the Rays get off to a stellar start, and if he can stay hot, he’ll continue to have an impact on a team that expects to go far this year.

If it wasn’t for Aaron Judge, Franco would arguably be the most valuable player in the AL East right now. Franco is very young, and he has many more years to continue making an impact on this league. Expect Franco’s star to keep rising in the coming years. If he completes a full season of playing as well as he is now, Franco will receive plenty of AL MVP votes.

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