It's never too early to begin looking at MVP candidates, and 20 games into the season there are some players who have established themselves early as contenders this year.
#1
Daniel Cox was named "Pitcher of the Week", and has posted a 4-0 record with 27 strikeouts in 28 innings. Even more impressive is 0.96 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. The Gridlock (10-11 on the season) would be in a very bad position without Cox's masterful performances.
#2
"The Natural" just keeps getting better each year. Once again he's off to a hot start posting a 4-0 record, punching out 34 batters in only 30 innings. He's only allowed an OBP of .265 to opposing hitters. McPherson is the reason a surprising Baltimore squad is on top of the NL East.
#3
What can you say that hasn't already been said about rookie phenom Allen Wood? On scouts and baseball journalists' radar for several seasons now, Wood is showing that the hype was justified. He's batting .370 with 9 home runs and 30 RBI and leads the NL with an OPS of 1.261. The only downside--he has 2 errors in center field this year.
#4
Proving it's the "Year of the Rookies" in Season 4, Joseph Kondou has been magnificiant for Buffalo. He's batted an astounding .405 to date with 8 home runs and 22 RBI. He also is second in the NL with an OPS of 1.218. Kondou has been one of the few bright spots in a Buffalo squad that has gotten off to a disappointing 8-13 start.
#5
Fernando Rodriguez slugs his way onto this list with an NL leading .805 slugging percentage. In addition, with a .351 average, 9 home runs, 6 stolen bases, Rodriguez is proving he's a multifaceted talent on the diamond. His defense in Left Field has also been stellar with 0 errors thus far and one "plus" play.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
AL MVP Candidates First Quarter
It's never too early to begin looking at MVP candidates, and 20 games into the season there are some players who have established themselves early as contenders this year.
#1
Is there a more complete player than Cincinnatti's Harold Kinney? With a .306 average, 7 home runs, and 13 stolen bases (in 13 attempts), Kinney continues to establish himself as the ultimate offensive weapon. With Cincinnatti struggling at the bottom of the division Kinney will need to post mammoth numbers (like last year's 30+ home runs and 90+ stolen bases) to win the MVP award.
#4
While Scranton's Homer Page might be more dominant, it's the way Nicholas Cooper is getting saves that is impressive. He's 8 for 8 in save situations (same as Page), however he's pitched 11 innings to this point, whereas Page is being used more sparingly (5.2 innings).
#5
Even factoring in the park benefits of Coor's Field, Max Tejada has been a great hitter thus far in Season 4. Tejada's line to date, 7 home runs, 35 RBI, and a .379 average. Once again Colorado is tied on top of the division, and the overachieving Tejada is a big reason why.
#1
First in home runs (12) and second in RBI (34), while sporting a .368 batting average, Walt Halladay should top everyone's list as the AL MVP to date. Scranton is off to the best start in the AL, posting a 15-6 record to lead the AL North.
#2
Sporting not only one of baseball's best names, but also one of baseball's best curveballs, Cradle has been solid for Colorado, dominating despite pitching in Coors. His stat line to date, 4-0 with an ERA of 2.08 and a WHIP of 1.32. Cradle is a big reason Colorado is tied atop the AL West.
#3
Is there a more complete player than Cincinnatti's Harold Kinney? With a .306 average, 7 home runs, and 13 stolen bases (in 13 attempts), Kinney continues to establish himself as the ultimate offensive weapon. With Cincinnatti struggling at the bottom of the division Kinney will need to post mammoth numbers (like last year's 30+ home runs and 90+ stolen bases) to win the MVP award.
#4
While Scranton's Homer Page might be more dominant, it's the way Nicholas Cooper is getting saves that is impressive. He's 8 for 8 in save situations (same as Page), however he's pitched 11 innings to this point, whereas Page is being used more sparingly (5.2 innings).
#5
Even factoring in the park benefits of Coor's Field, Max Tejada has been a great hitter thus far in Season 4. Tejada's line to date, 7 home runs, 35 RBI, and a .379 average. Once again Colorado is tied on top of the division, and the overachieving Tejada is a big reason why.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)