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: Votto
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 |
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Joey Votto Breakdown
Stat/Player | Joey Votto | Paul Goldschmidt |
Team | Reds | Diamondbacks |
Games | 158 | 158 |
Batting Average | .326 | .297 |
Hits | 181 | 172 |
Doubles | 34 | 33 |
Triples | 2 | 3 |
Home runs | 29 | 24 |
RBIs | 97 | 95 |
Runs | 101 | 106 |
Stolen Bases | 8 | 32 |
Walks | 108 | 110 |
Strikeouts | 120 | 150 |
OBP | .434 | .411 |
Slugging | .550 | .489 |
OPS+ | .984 | .900 |
WAR | 4.0 | 4.8 |
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Joey Votto
Perhaps the most alike players in the game, Paul Goldschmidt and Joey Votto share similar numbers. 2016 was a battle between them. They were separated by only two walks for the National League and two RBIs separated them. The doubles are one off and there is a five run difference for runs category. Goldschmidt does have better stolen base numbers. Goldschmidt has 32 stolen bases compared to Votto’s 8. Paul also is known for his defense. Votto had a -2.4 defensive WAR compared to Goldschmidt’s -0.6. Overall, I would say Goldy has the advantage over Votto.