Let's Set Odds: Who Will Win the NL MVP Award in 2022?

Your 2021 NL MVP Award winner is Bryce Harper, rightfielder of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Bryce Harper led the Major Leagues in OPS (1.044), slugging percentage (.615), and doubles (42). The now-two time NL MVP batted .309 with 35 home runs, 84 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 151 hits in 141 games.

One interesting note from Harper's first three years in Philadelphia, he has yet to play in the All-Star Game as a Phillie. But, to be fair, there wasn’t an All-Star Game in the truncated 2020 season.

WynnBET Sportsbook doesn’t have odds listed for who will win the NL MVP Award in 2022, so let’s set odds for who will take home the hardware next year.

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (+300)

Let’s start with the reigning NL MVP.

Harper’s career has come with peaks and valleys. The peaks being two MVP-winning seasons, and the valleys being 2014 and 2016; two subpar seasons sandwiching his 2015 MVP campaign.

Harper is still on the good side of thirty, so he certainly has a long way to go. If his performance plateaus at such a high level, he’ll make a run for a third NL MVP Award. The Phillies getting into the postseason will only increase his chances moving forward.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves (+400)

If Acuna didn’t get injured in July, chances are he would have been holding both a World Series trophy and the NL MVP in November.

In 82 games, just about half of the season, Acuna batted .283, with 24 home runs, 52 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 84 hits, and a .990 OPS. Acuna could have made a run at a 40-40 season with 100 RBI.

If Acuna can stay healthy all season, and the Atlanta Braves can avoid the Wild Card and win the NL East outright, Acuna will be a strong bet to win the NL MVP Award in 2022. 

Juan Soto, Washington Nationals (+450)

Bryce Harper was the only batter in the NL to finish with an OPS above 1.000. The next closest hitter in the NL was Juan Soto, with an OPS of .999.

It’s hard to believe that Soto will be entering his age 23 season. For a player as young as Soto, he has very few holes in his game.

Soto batted .313 with 29 home runs, 95 RBI, and 157 hits in 151 games. Soto’s .534 slugging percentage was lower than his career average of .550 and much lower than his .695 slugging from the shortened 2020 season, so it may be fair to say that there is another level to his game. If Soto hits that next level in 2022, it could be an unforgettable and MVP worthy effort.

Soto finished second in NL MVP voting in 2021.

Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (+500)

Tatis missed some time this year with nagging injuries and after his return to the field he was shifted to the outfield. Whether it had to do with his shortcomings as a defender at shortstop or the San Diego Padres were protecting him from further injury is up to you.

Certain questions surrounded Tatis in 2021, but he was unquestionably one of the strongest hitters in the Major Leagues. Tatis batted .282 with 42 home runs, 97 RBI, 25 stolen bases, 135 hits, and a .975 OPS in 130 games. 

If Tatis can find a defensive home and cut down the strikeouts, he can improve upon his third-place finish in NL MVP voting from this season in 2022.

Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers (+750)

Trea Turner can do it all, a five-tool shortstop on one of baseball’s most dominant clubs.

Turner batted .328 with 28 home runs, 77 RBI, 32 stolen bases, 195 hits, and a .911 OPS in 148 games split between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. 

A potential 30-30 shortstop on a World Series contender will get a lot of looks from the MVP voters.

Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates (+10000)

Let’s throw in an MVP sleeper.

Reynolds plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates, so not too many eyes have been on the All-Star outfielder, especially the eyes of those that vote for MVP.

In 2021, Reynolds batted .302 with 24 home runs, 90 RBI, 35 doubles, 169 hits, and a .912 OPS in 159 games. 

After struggling in the shortened 2020, Reynolds improved upon his impressive rookie season of 2019 and has become a franchise cornerstone in Pittsburgh. 

If the Pirates can flirt with a .500 record in 2022, then Reynolds may flirt with an NL MVP Award.