In a very crowded list of National League MVP candidates with players such as Nolan Arenado and JD Martinez being omitted, the final possible MVP candidate race is very tight. Marlins’ right fielder Giancarlo Stanton fell just one home run shy of the immortal 60 home run club, also picking up a league leading 132 RBIs along the way. Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon lead MLB in runs (137), hits (213), and triples (14) to go along with 37 home runs and 104 RBIs. Joey Votto completed the rare feat of playing every game of the 162 game season, collecting 147 walks and posting an insane .454 on base percentage. Paul Goldschmidt put up yet another consistently great season posting 36 home runs, 120 RBIs, 117 runs, and swiping 18 bags. The two main contenders are Joey Votto and Charlie Blackmon. Despite Blackmon leading the league in traditional categories, Votto’s dependability and outrageous ability to get on base makes him a lethal weapon for the Cincinatti Reds. Overall, Charlie Blackmon looks like the MVP front runner as his stats are a can’t miss with most traditional baseball fans.
Tag: 2017
2017 NL MVP Breakdown
Stats | Giancarlo Stanton | Paul Goldschmidt | Joey Votto | Charlie Blackmon |
Games | 159 | 155 | 162 | 159 |
At Bats | 597 | 558 | 559 | 644 |
Hits | 168 | 166 | 179 | 213 |
Doubles | 32 | 34 | 34 | 35 |
Triples | 0 | 3 | 1 | 14 |
Home Runs | 59 | 36 | 36 | 37 |
RBIs | 132 | 120 | 100 | 104 |
Runs | 123 | 117 | 106 | 137 |
Stolen Bases | 2 | 18 | 5 | 14 |
Walks | 85 | 94 | 134 | 65 |
Strikeouts | 163 | 147 | 83 | 135 |
Batting Average | .281 | .297 | .320 | .331 |
OBP | .376 | .404 | .454 | .399 |
Slugging | .631 | .563 | .578 | .601 |
OPS | 1.007 | .967 | 1.032 | 1.000 |
WAR | 8.8 | 6.9 | 9.6 | 6.3 |
All Star | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Francisco Lindor 2017
Francisco Lindor put up career high numbers in 2017. Lindor studied launched angle and developed power. He smacked 33 home runs, 44 doubles, 89 RBIs, and posted a .505 slugging percentage, all career highs. Despite the power numbers, Lindor’s average dropped from .301 to .273. He also collected four less hits (178) than 2016 even though he played one more game in 2017 (159). Lindor has not lost any stolen base skills as he stole 15 bases in 18 attempts. He also sustained his stellar defense by posting a .984 fielding percentage and turning 111 double plays. Lindor reinvented himself as a player, but continues to put up great numbers.
What Joe Girardi Did Wrong in Game 2 of the ALDS
In second game of the 2017 American League Division series, Yankees manager Joe Girardi made some questionable mistakes. It looked like it was supposed to be a pitching duel with Cy Young front runner Corey Kluber against postseason veteran CC Sabathia. Kluber fell apart giving up six earned runs. By the sixth inning, the Yankees were up 8-3. With two runners on and one out, Girardi brings in Chad Green to face Lonnie Chisenhall. CC was over 70 pitches, but clearly still had gas in the tank and wanted to stay in the game. Green, with a two strike count, supposedly hit Chisenhall. The ball clearly hit the bat and went into catcher Gary Sanchez’s glove. Sanchez and Chase Headley were yelling at their skipper to challenge the play, but he did not. If he did, the pitch would be void and redone. Because of Girardi’s hesitance, Chisenhall was awarded first base. Now, Lindor comes up, hits a grand slam, and now it’s a one run game.David Robertson comes in, who pitched 3.1 innings in the Wild Card game, a career most. He gives up the game tying home run to Jay Bruce. Girardi later brings in Chapman, who pitchers 2+ innings, and Dellin Betances, who blows the game, with 2+ innings of work. Such use of relievers in the playoffs has been proved not good as shown in Aroldis Chapman’s arm discomfort in the 2016 World Series. If Girardi keeps on messing up these crucial games, his career as Yankees manager is in danger.
2017 AL MVP Report
As the 2017 regular season came to an end, the American League MVP race has really tightened up. Mike Trout, who was down 48 games with a thumb injury, was still able to put up unbelievable numbers in a short amount of time. Jose Altuve once again impressed us with yet another 200 hit season and 30 stolen base season. Among the surprises include Aaron Judge who broke the rookie record for home runs and walks, and Jose Ramirez, Cleveland’s super utility man. Trout supplied the best percentage numbers by leading the AL in OPS, OBP, and slugging. He was also among Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo as the only men in baseball with more walks than strikeouts (min. 100 games). Despite his final stats, Aaron Judge had a mid season streak that lasted 45 games with a sub .200 batting average and only 7 home runs. This greatly impacted his overall average which went from .329 at the All Star break to .284 at the end of the season. Jose Ramirez’s versatility makes him a valuable asset to the Indians, but his 29 home runs and league leading 56 doubles were only a bonus. His OBP and OPS were down compared to the others. Jose Altuve looks like the best bet for MVP as his hits, stolen bases, and consistency were on point for the entire length of the regular season.
Stats: ESPN and MLB.com
2017 MVP Race Breakdown: Trout, Judge, Altuve, and Ramirez BREAKDOWN
Stats | Mike Trout | Aaron Judge | Jose Altuve | Jose Ramirez |
Games | 114 | 155 | 153 | 152 |
At Bats | 402 | 542 | 590 | 585 |
Hits | 123 | 154 | 204 | 186 |
Doubles | 25 | 24 | 39 | 56 |
Triples | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Home Runs | 33 | 52 | 24 | 29 |
RBIs | 72 | 114 | 81 | 83 |
Runs | 92 | 128 | 112 | 107 |
Stolen Bases | 22 | 9 | 32 | 17 |
OBP | .442 | .422 | .410 | 0.374 |
OPS | 1.071 | 1.049 | .957 | .957 |
Slugging | .629 | .627 | .547 | .583 |
WAR | 6.4 | 8.8 | 7.9 | 6.3 |
Strikeouts | 90 | 208 | 84 | 69 |
Walks | 94 | 127 | 58 | 52 |
All Star | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Aaron Judge Breaks Strikeout Record and Weaver Retires
On August 16, New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge broke the Major League record for most consecutive games with a strikeout. He struck out in his 33rd consecutive game. On the season, Judge has 159 strikeouts. Jered Weaver called it quits as well. He finished his 12 year career with the Padres, but spent his first 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
— Jered Weaver (@Weave1036) August 16, 2017
This Week in Baseball
Giancarlo Stanton continues his rapid tear by smacking his 44 home run this season. He has homered in six straight games and has already set a Marlins’ franchise record. Another story line in National League East is Mets’ prospect Logan Taylor. He was attacked by a homeless man with a tire and a rock filled sock after the homeless man demanded his wallet. He needed lots of stitches on his head and the homeless man was taken into custody. Rockies’ pitcher Chad Bettis made his return from cancer and pitched seven innings of shutout ball. Superstar Bryce Harper was diagnosed with a deep bone bruise after slipping on a wet base during a game against the Giants.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Rapid Tear
It’s no surprise that Miami Marlins’ right fielder Giancarlo Stanton is on the greatest run of his career. Over his last ten games, Giancarlo has nine homers. Over the entire season, Stanton has 42 home runs to go along with 88 runs and 90 RBIs. He has tied Gary Sheffield in 1996 with the single season franchise home run total.
Cody Bellinger Hits for the Cycle!
On July 15, 2017, Dodgers’ rookie sensation Cody Bellinger accomplished one of the hardest feats in baseball. He hit for the cycle. The cycle in baseball is when a batter hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game. As of July 16, there have been five cycles this year: Nolan Arenado, Wil Myers, Carlos Gomez, Trea Turner, and now Cody Bellinger. Along with his four hits, Cody drove in three RBIs and scored two runs. He became the youngest player to hit for the cycle at exactly 22 years of age and became the first Dodger rookie to hit for the cycle.