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The National League and American League MVP Race (as of 5/25/2021)
Introduction
For those that do not know or understand how the American League MVP and the National League MVP of Major League Baseball are evaluated on and voted on here are some of the basic guidelines that have been distinguished by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BWWAA):
There is no definite or clear – cut definition of what Most Valuable really means. It is up to each individual voter to decipher who was the MVP in both the National as well as the American League and his overall value or importance to his team. The Most Valuable Player need not come from the division winner or any / other playoff qualifier.
The overall rules of the voting process remain the same as they were written on the first voting ballot of 1931:
- Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense as well as defense.
- Number of games played.
- General character, disposition, loyalty, and effort.
- Former winners are eligible.
- Members of the committee may vote for more than one member of a team.
You are also advised to give serious consideration to all your selections from 1 to 10. A 10th – place vote can influence the overall outcome of an MVP election. You must fill in all of the 10 places on your MVP ballot. Only regular – season performances are to be taken into consideration so please do not take the Major League Baseball postseason into consideration while voting. Please keep in mind that all MLB players are qualified for the MVP vote including pitchers as well as designated hitters in both the National League and American League.
National League MVP Candidates
- Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves)
Acuna Jr. has been leading the Atlanta Braves to greatness since he entered the big – league back in 2018. Currently throughout the 2021 MLB season the gifted outfielder is batting .276 with 15 home runs, 31 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.001 this year so far.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
MLB All – Star (2019)
2 Time All – MLB Second Team (2019, 2020)
National League Rookie of the Year (2018)
2Time Silver Slugger Award (2019, 2020)
National League Stolen Base Leader (2019)
MLB 30 – 30 Club (2019)
- Jacob deGrom (New York Mets)
Not to mention that deGrom may be well on his way to his third National League Cy Young Award, but he is carrying an overall ERA of 0.68 so far this year to go along with his 65 strikeouts, and only 7 walks over the course of his 6 starts during the 2021 MLB campaign.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
3 Time MLB All – Star (2015, 2018, 2019)
2 Time All – MLB First Team (2019, 2020)
2 Time National League Cy Young Award (2018, 2019)
National League Rookie of the Year (2014)
National League ERA Leader (2018)
2 Time National League Strikeout Leader (2019, 2020)
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego Padres)
This young athlete is beginning his MLB career with reckless abandon as he is quickly becoming one of the best and most watched players in the National League for both his bat as well as his glove. Look for him to win the NL MVP sometime in the near future if not this season.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
All – MLB First Team (2020)
Silver Slugger Award (2020)
- Juan Soto (Washington Nationals)
Although Soto plays on a below average ball club in the Washington Nationals, do not sleep on this kid’s overall talent and abilities no matter where you see him on the baseball diamond.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
All – MLB First Team (2020)
All – MLB Second Team (2019)
World Series Champion (2019)
Silver Slugger Award (2020)
National League Batting Champion (2020)
- Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
This perennial MVP candidate can amaze the fans of Philadelphia, the only question is: Can he mesmerize the entire National League with his skills and hopefully turn around the season of the overpaid and over – rated Philadelphia Phillies?
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
6 Time MLB All – Star (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
National League MVP (2015)
National League Rookie of the Year (2012)
Silver Slugger Award (2015)
National League Hank Aaron Award (2015)
National League Home Run Leader (2015)
Golden Spikes Award (2010)
- Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Betts could potentially win the MVP Award every season that he is healthy. Currently he is batting .258 with 5 homers and 16 RBIs, but look for those numbers to sky – rocket once his stacked Los Angeles Dodgers line – up is back to full health coming down the stretch.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
4 Time MLB All – Star (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
2 Time World Series Champion (2018, 2020)
American League MVP (2018)
All – MLB First Team (2020)
All – MLB Second Team (2019)
4 Time Silver Slugger Award (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
5 Time Gold Glove Award (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award (2016)
Heart and Hustle Award (2018)
American League Batting Champion (2018)
MLB 30 – 30 Club (2018)
Hit for the Cycle (August 9, 2018)
- Corey Seager (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Another LA Dodger that tears it up is Corey Seager. He is having a break out year with both his bat and his glove. Seager is batting .265 with 4 home runs and 22 RBIs throughout his 2021 MLB campaign.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
2 Time MLB All – Star (2016, 2017)
All – MLB Second Team (2020)
World Series Champion (2020)
World Series MVP (2020)
National League Championship Series MVP (2020)
National League Rookie of the Year (2016)
2 Time Silver Slugger Award (2016, 2017)
- Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs)
The Chicago Cubs best player and in my opinion the best all – around player of the young 2021 MLB season. Kris’ value has no – limit as he can play pretty much anywhere in the field on defense while he is leading the big – leagues in many of the offensive categories. If the Chicago Cubs succeed this year, it will most likely be attributed to the outstanding play of Kris Bryant.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
3 Time MLB All – Star (2015, 2016, 2019)
World Series Champion (2016)
National League MVP (2016)
National League Rookie of the Year (2015)
National League Hank Aaron Award (2016)
Golden Spikes Award (2013)
Dick Howser Trophy (2013)
American League MVP Candidates
- Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels)
What can this guy not do? He can pitch and hit like no other modern day baseball player. If only his under – achieving Los Angeles Angels could put up a fight and win the American League West division then he would have a good chance of winning the AL MVP. The same goes for Mike Trout if fully healthy.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
Japan Series Champion (2016)
5 Time NPB All – Star (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Pacific League MVP (2016)
2 Time Pacific League Pitcher Best Nine (2015, 2016)
Designated Hitter Best Nine (2016)
Pacific League ERA Leader (2015)
Pacific League Battery Award with Shota Ono (2015)
2 Time Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (2016, 2018)
WBSC Player of the Year (2015)
American League Rookie of the Year (2018)
Hit for the Cycle (June 13, 2019)
- Vlad Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
This youngster is starting to rake similar to his Hall of Fame father with the same name. He is another year or two away from making an incredible splash in Major League Baseball. In my opinion Jr. should look to move to another ball club that would get him much more publicity and a better chance of winning the Most Valuable Player Award.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
Played for the Toronto Blue Jays (2019 – Present)
More to come…
- Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)
He is Mike Trout and the best overall baseball player when completely healthy. Trout has already won 3 American League MVP Awards and that could have easily been increased by another one or two if he wasn’t so overlooked out in the AL West division. If he played for the NY Yankees, he would easily have 5 AL MVP Awards already.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
8 Time MLB All – Star (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
3 Time American League MVP (2014, 2016, 2019)
2 Time All – MLB First Team (2019, 2020)
American League Rookie of the Year (2012)
8 Time Silver Slugger Award (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
2 Time American League Hank Aaron Award (2014, 2019)
Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award (2012)
2 Time MLB All – Star Game MVP (2014, 2015)
American League RBI Leader (2014)
American League Stolen Base Leader (2012)
MLB 30 – 30 Club (2012)
Hit for the Cycle (May 21, 2013)
- Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
Speaking of the New York Yankees, Judge is resurging as one of the league’s best sluggers. Right now, Aaron is hitting .308 with 12 home runs as well as 26 RBIs as he is on pace to have a phenomenal bounce back year form his team and his MLB career.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
2 Time MLB All – Star (2017, 2018)
American League Rookie of the Year (2017)
Silver Slugger Award (2017)
American League Home Run Leader (2017)
- J. D. Martinez (Boston Red Sox)
This guy is the definition of Major League Baseball consistency at the dish. Martinez is carrying an astonishing batting average of .328, 12 long balls, and 37 RBIs already during his 11th career MLB season of dominating the big – leagues.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
3 Time MLB All – Star (2015, 2018, 2019)
World Series Champion (2018)
3 Time Silver Slugger Award (2015, 2018, 2018)
American League Hank Aaron Award (2018)
American League RBI Leader (2018)
Hit 4 Home Runs in 1 Game (September 4, 2017)
- Giancarlo Stanton (New York Yankees)
Although Giancarlo is not having his career – best MLB season like he did in 2017 with the Miami Marlins, he is starting to light it up once again this time with the powerful star – studded roster of the New York Yankees out in the Bronx, NY. If he continues to produce in his power numbers he might sneak back in to contention for the American League MVP this year.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
4 Time MLB All – Star (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017)
National League MVP (2017)
2 Time Silver Slugger Award (2014, 2017)
Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award (2012)
2 Time National League Hank Aaron Award (2014, 2017)
2 Time National League Home Run Leader (2014, 2017)
National League RBI Leader (2017)
- Jose Ramirez (Cleveland Indians)
This all – around ball player has the potential to get hot and tee off at the plate while flashing his leather over at third base. Right now, Ramirez is hitting .255, an OBP of .344, a slugging percentage of .547, and an OPS of .891. Look for him to improve if his team starts to heat up over the second half of the 2021 MLB season.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
2 Time MLB All – Star (2017, 2018)
All – MLB Second Team (2020)
3 Time Silver Slugger Award (2017, 2018, 2020)
MLB 30 – 30 Club (2018)
- Jose Abreu (Chicago White Sox)
The reigning 2020 American League Most Valuable Player Award winner squares up the barrel of his big bat almost every trip to the plate. Abreu is on a team in the Chicago White Sox that can help push him further up this list as long as they continue to win baseball games day in and day out. At the moment Jose is batting .252 with 9 homers and 35 ribbies. I believe those numbers will only get better as he starts to eye the ball better out of the pitcher’s hand. When Jose is locked in I suggest that no one pitch to this beast of a man.
Baseball Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
3 Time MLB All – Star (2014, 2018, 2019)
All – MLB Second Team (2020)
American League MVP (2020)
American League Rookie of the Year (2014)
3 Time Silver Slugger Award (2014, 2018, 2020)
American League Hank Aaron Award (2020)
2 Time American League RBI Leader (2019, 2020)
Sporting News Player of the Year Award (2020)
Hit for the Cycle (September 9, 2017)
Current MLB Standings (as of Tuesday, May 25th, 2021)
American League East
Tampa Bay Rays 30 – 19 0 Games Behind
Boston Red Sox 29 – 19 0.5 Games Behind
New York Yankees 28 – 19 1 Games Behind
Toronto Blue Jays 23 – 23 5.5 Games Behind
Baltimore Orioles 17 – 30 12 Games Behind
American League Central
Chicago White Sox 27 – 19 0 Games Behind
Cleveland Indians 25 – 20 1.5 Games Behind
Kansas City Royals 22 – 23 4.5 Games Behind
Minnesota Twins 18 – 29 9.5 Games Behind
Detroit Tigers 18 – 29 9.5 Games Behind
American League West
Oakland Athletics 28 – 21 0 Games Behind
Houston Astros 26 – 21 1 Games Behind
Seattle Mariners 22 – 26 5.5 Games Behind
Texas Rangers 22 – 27 6 Games Behind
Los Angeles Angels 20 – 27 7 Games Behind
National League East
New York Mets 21 – 20 0 Games Behind
Miami Marlins 23 – 24 1 Games Behind
Atlanta Braves 23 – 24 1 Games Behind
Philadelphia Phillies 23 – 25 1.5 Games Behind
Washington Nationals 20 – 23 2 Games Behind
National League Central
St. Louis Cardinals 26 – 21 0 Games Behind
Chicago Cubs 24 – 22 1.5 Games Behind
Milwaukee Brewers 24 – 23 2 Games Behind
Cincinnati Reds 20 – 25 5 Games Behind
Pittsburgh Pirates 18 – 28 7.5 Games Behind
National League West
San Diego Padres 30 – 18 0 Games Behind
Los Angeles Dodgers 29 – 18 0.5 Games Behind
San Francisco Giants 28 – 19 1.5 Games Behind
Colorado Rockies 19 – 29 11 Games Behind
Arizona Diamondbacks 18 – 30 12 Games Behind
Odds to Win the MLB 2021 World Series
According to Bovada sportsbook below are the odds to win the MLB 2021 World Series as of Tuesday, May 25th, 2021.
| Team Odds |
|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers +300 |
| New York Yankees +700 |
| San Diego Padres +700 |
| Chicago White Sox +800 |
| New York Mets +1000 |
| Houston Astros +1600 |
| Atlanta Braves +1700 |
| Tampa Bay Rays +1800 |
| Oakland Athletics +1800 |
| Boston Red Sox +1800 |
| Toronto Blue Jays +2000 |
| St. Louis Cardinals +2200 |
| Milwaukee Brewers +2800 |
| San Francisco Giants +4000 |
| Cleveland Indians +4000 |
| Chicago Cubs +5000 |
| Philadelphia Phillies +5000 |
| Cincinnati Reds +6600 |
| Minnesota Twins +6600 |
| Miami Marlins +6600 |
| Los Angeles Angels +6600 |
| Kansas City Royals +7500 |
| Washington Nationals +7500 |
| Seattle Mariners +12500 |
| Texas Rangers +25000 |
| Baltimore Orioles +30000 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks +30000 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates +40000 |
| Colorado Rockies +50000 |
| Detroit Tigers +50000 |
Sources:
“Baseball Writers’ Association of America: MVP”, bbwaa.com, May 25, 2021.
“MLB Standings 2021”, espn.com, May 25, 2021.
“United States, MLB Futures, MLB 2021 World Series: To Win Outright”, bovada.lv, May 25, 2021.
“Ronald Acuna Jr.”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Jacob deGrom”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Fernando Tatis Jr.”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Juan Soto”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Bryce Harper”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Mookie Betts”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Corey Seager”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Kris Bryant”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Shohei Ohtani”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Vlad Guerrero Jr.”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Mike Trout”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Aaron Judge”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“J. D. Martinez”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Giancarlo Stanton”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Jose Ramirez”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.
“Jose Abreu”, baseball-reference.com, May 25, 2021.