MLB: National League MVP Race

A little while ago we here at The Jockstrap gave our top 5 in the American League MVP race (as of late August). Now, its time to take a look at the National League race; which includes two members of the brew crew, an injured Metropolitan, and a stellar young shortstop from Colorado.

1.) Ryan Braun, Brewers OF (25 HR, 85 RBI, .330 AVG, 29 Steals)

            For years, the Milwaukee Brewers have been good one season, to poor the next. This year, the Brewers are playing great, late season baseball led by outfielder Ryan Braun. Braun, 27, is having his best all around season of his young 5 year career. Batting .330 and driving out 25 homeruns thus far, Braun has the Brewers in the drivers seat of the competitive NL Central. Much like Adrian Gonzalez in Boston, Braun is benefited with hitting in front of another MVP candidate in Prince Fielder, but the threat Braun provides in the lineup and on the base paths (29 steals) has this young superstar in the forefront of the NL MVP race.

2.) Prince Fielder, Brewers 1B (28 HR, 100 RBI, .298 AVG, .529 SLG%)

            Ryan Braun is not the only 27-year-old superstar on the Brewers this season. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee’s first baseman, is having yet another monster season. The 28 homeruns is not a surprise, but Fielders 30 doubles is five short of a career high, and were only at the end of August. Fielder has been the clubhouse leader of the Brewers this season, and its paying off dividends for the team. With free agency looming, Fielder could add on a few more million to that upcoming contract with a shiny MVP trophy after a strong finish this season.

3.) Joey Votto, Reds 1B (24 HR, 84 RBI, .328 AVG, 94 Walks)

            Could Joey Votto win a second straight NL MVP this season? His stats are not as eye popping as they were last season, but the 24 round trippers accompanied with an outstanding .328 batting average puts Votto once again in the conversation. One thing that may be holding Votto back this season is the Reds performance in the pennant race, as they currently stand 13 games back in the division and 13.5 in the wild card. However, with two Brewers at the top of the list, a splitting of the votes between them could allow Votto or any of the other candidates to steal this race.

4.) Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies SS (26 HR, 89 RBI, .305 AVG, .546 SLG%)

            Another season, another strong stat line from “Tulo”. Tulowitzki has been a bright spot on a poor Rockies team this season, on his way to his second career 30 HR season. The .305 batting average is down .10 points from last season, but the 89 RBI’s are right on par with an “average” Troy Tulowitzki season. With the Rockies pretty much out of the pennant race, Tulo can help his own cause by continuing to drive in runs and knock out homers.

5.) Jose Reyes, Mets SS (5 HR, 37 RBI, .336 AVG, 16 Triples)

            Before the all-star break, Jose Reyes was the talk of the country. After missing the majority of last season, there were questions about how Reyes was going to be able to perform and stay healthy throughout a 162 game season. He quickly showed that his caliber of play never wavered. Leading the league with 16 triples, Reyes has been the spark plug for a bad Mets team this season. Despite an injury in the start of the summer, Reyes has remained in the MVP conversation because of his staggering batting average and 35 steals. If it weren’t for that very same injury, Reyes could have been sitting at the top of this list instead of the bottom.

Honorable Mentions: Roy Halladay (Phillies RHP), Matt Kemp (Dodgers OF), Justin Upton (Diamondbacks OF)