One of the most prestigious awards, if not THE most prestigious individual award will be handed out today as the N.L. and A.L. 2013 Most Valuable Players will be announced on Thursday evening. When will it happen? Who has a chance of winning?
The nominees for the 2013 N.L. MVP Award are Yadier Molina, Andrew McCutchen and Paul Goldschmidt
If you were warned by a friend to pick up Goldschmidt from waivers before he exploded, then you should feel guilty as the Arizona Diamondbacks' first baseman went bananas, finished 2013 with 36 home runs and 125 RBI to lead the N.L. in both categories. His on-base percentage was at .401, while posting a .302 batting average. However, the only shortcoming with his season is that the D'Backs did not make the postseason.
Things get a little more complicated when Goldschmidt and Molina are mentioned. These two guys were the heart and souls of their respective teams as they guided young clubs into the postseason.
Molina's leadership was present in the lineup as the best defensive catcher in baseball also chased for a batting title in 2013. Behind the plate, Molina has placed himself on another level. He helped the Cardinals reach the World Series while the team relied on Joe Kelly, 25, and Michael Wacha, 22, on the mound. Molina was a pure machine behind the plate, leading a young staff throughout the season, allowing them to feel comfortable on the mound though they were facing new pressure situations. Molina has set the Cardinals up for a bright future with a ton of studs in their pitching rotation.
McCutchen's contributions came with the bat, glove and his legs. His legs allowed him to steal 27 bases and helped the 27-year-old make outstanding plays in the outfield, which saved runs. Pitchers like players who save them runs. His bat drove in 84 runs and smacked 21 balls over the fence. He hit .317 with a .401 on-base percentage, making McCutchen the best all-around player in the N.L.
Predictions: McCutchen wins the 2013 N.L. MVP Award
Like McCutchen, Mike Trout is a speedster, power hitter and great glove in the outfield. He should also win the 2013 MVP Award in the A.L.
He will have to beat out Miguel Cabrera, who needs no introduction, and Chris Davis, who stood in Cabrera's way of back-to-back Triple Crowns. While Cabrera and Davis have more pop than Trout, the Los Angeles Angels' outfielder gives you a little bit of everything and can produce more runs for the team. Cabrera's defense is not outstanding and Davis is only being considered for the award because of his power.
Davis is a first baseman and he only committed six errors, but when you think of Davis you do not think of his glove. Same thing with Cabrera, there are chances he might screw up at third base, especially when injured, leading to errors. He made 12 errors in 2013. Trout has it all. He could not compete with Cabrera's 2012 Triple Crown campaign, but he should top the best hitter in baseball this time around.
Predictions: Mike Trout wins 2013 A.L. MVP Award
