2012 NL MVP Odds and Predictions: Top 5 National League MVP Candidates:With the 2012 MLB season more than a quarter of the way complete, the top players and teams are starting to separate themselves. In the National League, Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Matt Kemp appeared to have established himself as the unquestioned best player, but a nasty hamstring injury has sidelined the slugger and created a wide open MVP race. Depending on how long he is sidelined, it is possible that Kemp could work his way back into the conversation. In the meantime, here is a look at how the top contenders stack up in the latest addition of Power Rankings.
2012 NL MVP Odds and Predictions: Top 5 National League MVP Candidates
1. Joey Votto, First Baseman, Cincinnati Reds
The 2010 NL MVP continues to put up solid numbers, and he has helped Cincinnati build a 3 ½-game lead in the Central Division. He leads the NL with a 1.097 OPS and he leads the majors with a .475 on-base percentage and 44 walks. Votto also has nine home runs and 32 RBIs, and with 22 doubles already in the books, he is on pace to break the MLB record of 67. He is one of the most polished and patient hitters in baseball, and he might just be the most efficient. The power numbers will come around, and if Cincinnati continues to pull away from the pack in the NL Central, Votto might just run away with MVP honors.
2. Carlos Beltran, Outfielder, St. Louis Cardinals
Despite a myriad of injuries and the loss of Albert Pujols to free agency, the defending World Series champs have been holding their own. Beltran has been the biggest reason why, as the outfielder has turned back the clock and been a force in the middle of the St. Louis lineup. He is leading the National League with 15 home runs and ranks third with 42 RBIs. His batting average is a solid .287, and he has even added six steals. Beltran has battled through injuries himself, but he has been a savior for the injury-ravaged Cardinals. If he keeps up this pace and keeps St. Louis relevant, the voters will be recognize him when it comes time to decide the MVP.
3. David Wright, Third Baseman, New York Mets
The Mets were expected to be a mess in 2012, but instead, they sit just one game back of the top spot in the loaded NL East. Wright has carried an offense made up mainly of younger players and has been one of the most efficient hitters in the majors. His .369 batting average and 1.069 OPS are both third best in baseball, and his .472 on-base percentage is second best. Wright has just six homers this season, but with 19 doubles and 32 RBIs, he is still doing plenty of damage at the plate. As the unquestioned leader on a young team, Wright’s MVP push will be hard to ignore if he powers the Mets into the postseason.
4. Melky Cabrera, Outfielder, San Francisco Giants
Pablo Sandoval is hurt, Tim Lincecum is struggling, and the Giants are still in the thick of the playoff hunt in the early going. He hasn’t exactly been getting much hype, but the play of Cabrera is a huge reason for San Francisco’s success. He currently leads the majors with a .373 batting average, 81 hits and seven triples. Cabrera has scored the second-most runs in the NL this year, and despite hitting at the top of the order, he is seventh in OPS. The numbers are there, but for a player that has never been a star, his biggest challenge is going to be finding a way to grab the attention of the media.
5. Carlos Gonzalez, Outfielder, Colorado Rockies
Gonzalez is the unlucky recipient of the best player on a bad team award. He is second in the National League in home runs and RBIs, third in OPS and sixth in batting average. He is also leading the majors with 44 runs scored and is a perfect 8-for-8 in steal attempts. Thanks to the Rockies’ bad record and the hitter-friendly atmosphere of Coors Field, Gonzalez is facing an uphill battle. However, he will keep his name in the conversation if he continues to be an all-around offensive monster.
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