10 Players Who Will Enter the MVP Discussion in Second Half of 2015 MLB Season

10 Players Who Will Enter the MVP Discussion in Second Half of 2015 MLB Season

By Matt Turner

July 18, 2015

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10 Players Who Will Enter the MVP Discussion in Second Half of 2015 MLB Season

Zack Greinke Los Angeles Dodgers — Baseball is in good hands. Twenty-three and 22-year-old Mike Trout (.311/.403/.619, 27 HR, 69 R) and Bryce Harper (.338/.465/.701, 26 HR, 62 RBI) are already among the best players in the sport. Trout has one MVP to his name already, while Harper appears to be the frontrunner in the NL this year. Assuming they’re leading the race, here are five players who have the best chance of overtaking them.

Baseball is in good hands. Twenty-three and 22-year-old Mike Trout (.311/.403/.619, 27 HR, 69 R) and Bryce Harper (.338/.465/.701, 26 HR, 62 RBI) are already among the best players in the sport. Trout has one MVP to his name already, while Harper appears to be the frontrunner in the NL this year. Assuming they’re leading the race, here are five players who have the best chance of overtaking them.

10. Lorenzo Cain, AL

Lorenzo Cain Kansas City Royals

10. Lorenzo Cain, AL

Lorenzo Cain Kansas City Royals — Stats: .318/.373/.492, 20 2B, 54 R
The Kansas City Royals are the best team in the American League. They play stellar defense as a team and have a lights-out bullpen. Alex Gordon was a candidate in this category prior to his injury; now Cain will have to shoulder more of the load, which may boost his chances in the MVP race.

Stats: .318/.373/.492, 20 2B, 54 R
The Kansas City Royals are the best team in the American League. They play stellar defense as a team and have a lights-out bullpen. Alex Gordon was a candidate in this category prior to his injury; now Cain will have to shoulder more of the load, which may boost his chances in the MVP race.

9. Giancarlo Stanton, NL

Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins

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9. Giancarlo Stanton, NL

Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins — Stats: .265/.346/.606, 27 HR, 67 RBI
Stanton would definitely be higher on the list if he were healthy. He’s missed a few weeks and still leads the NL in home runs. Every year he’s played, he’s been in the MVP discussion and -- like this year -- injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential. When he returns, if he can finish the season at a torrid pace, he may garner more attention.

Stats: .265/.346/.606, 27 HR, 67 RBI
Stanton would definitely be higher on the list if he were healthy. He’s missed a few weeks and still leads the NL in home runs. Every year he’s played, he’s been in the MVP discussion and -- like this year -- injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential. When he returns, if he can finish the season at a torrid pace, he may garner more attention.

8. Manny Machado, AL

Manny Machado Baltimore Orioles

8. Manny Machado, AL

Manny Machado Baltimore Orioles — Stats: .299/.366/.525, 19 HR, 57 R
Baltimore currently sits one game below .500, but they’re only five games back from the division. Adam Jones, who’s usually in the MVP discussion, isn’t quite up to par this year, and Chris Davis is definitely struggling. Machado’s emergence has kept the Orioles relevant.

Stats: .299/.366/.525, 19 HR, 57 R
Baltimore currently sits one game below .500, but they’re only five games back from the division. Adam Jones, who’s usually in the MVP discussion, isn’t quite up to par this year, and Chris Davis is definitely struggling. Machado’s emergence has kept the Orioles relevant.

7. Anthony Rizzo, NL

Anthony Rizzo Chicago Cubs

7. Anthony Rizzo, NL

Anthony Rizzo Chicago Cubs — Stats: .295/.411/.537, 16 HR, 48 RBI
Rizzo is the leader of the new, young Chicago Cubs team. Although he’s only 25, he’s a five-year vet now and as the first baseman, he’s the anchor of Chicago’s all-early 20s infield. For the first time in seven years, the Cubs are very competitive. A surge by Rizzo in the second half would help him and the Cubs.

Stats: .295/.411/.537, 16 HR, 48 RBI
Rizzo is the leader of the new, young Chicago Cubs team. Although he’s only 25, he’s a five-year vet now and as the first baseman, he’s the anchor of Chicago’s all-early 20s infield. For the first time in seven years, the Cubs are very competitive. A surge by Rizzo in the second half would help him and the Cubs.

6. Jason Kipnis, AL

Jason Kipnis Cleveland Indians

6. Jason Kipnis, AL

Jason Kipnis Cleveland Indians — Stats: .322/.400/.484, 27 2B, 59 R
Kipnis leads baseball in doubles and is second in the AL with 113 hits. Despite playing for a team that’s five games under .500, he’s racked up a 4.76 WAR. Anytime you post 200 hits and 100 runs in a season, you have to be considered in the MVP conversation.

Stats: .322/.400/.484, 27 2B, 59 R
Kipnis leads baseball in doubles and is second in the AL with 113 hits. Despite playing for a team that’s five games under .500, he’s racked up a 4.76 WAR. Anytime you post 200 hits and 100 runs in a season, you have to be considered in the MVP conversation.

5. Buster Posey, NL

Buster Posey San Francisco Giants

5. Buster Posey, NL

Buster Posey San Francisco Giants — Stats: .313/.380/.495, 14 HR, 59 RBI
He’s the only player on this list who’s already won an MVP, and it’s no coincidence he’s among the candidates again. Clearly Posey is great at the plate and with the injuries to Hunter Pence and the loss of Pablo Sandoval, he has kept them in the NL West race.

Stats: .313/.380/.495, 14 HR, 59 RBI
He’s the only player on this list who’s already won an MVP, and it’s no coincidence he’s among the candidates again. Clearly Posey is great at the plate and with the injuries to Hunter Pence and the loss of Pablo Sandoval, he has kept them in the NL West race.

4. Prince Fielder, AL

Prince Fielder Texas Rangers

4. Prince Fielder, AL

Prince Fielder Texas Rangers — Stats: .340/.403/.519, 19 2B, 54 RBI
Fielder is having a resurgence of a season. His first year in Texas didn’t go according to plan, but now the Rangers are getting the type of production they expected. His 116 hits are best in the AL. Fielder's neck surgery is showing no signs of slowing him down.

Stats: .340/.403/.519, 19 2B, 54 RBI
Fielder is having a resurgence of a season. His first year in Texas didn’t go according to plan, but now the Rangers are getting the type of production they expected. His 116 hits are best in the AL. Fielder's neck surgery is showing no signs of slowing him down.

3. Zack Greinke, NL

Zack Greinke Los Angeles Dodgers

3. Zack Greinke, NL

Zack Greinke Los Angeles Dodgers — Stats: 8-2, 1.39 ERA, .843 WHIP, 7.7 K/9
The Los Angeles Dodgers are finally playing up to the level so many expected them to be competing at for years. One main reason for their NL West-leading 51-39 record has been Greinke’s performance. Clayton Kershaw made an All-Star appearance, but have no doubt who the current leader of this pitching staff is. His ERA leads the MLB and he hasn’t allowed a run in his last five starts.

Stats: 8-2, 1.39 ERA, .843 WHIP, 7.7 K/9
The Los Angeles Dodgers are finally playing up to the level so many expected them to be competing at for years. One main reason for their NL West-leading 51-39 record has been Greinke’s performance. Clayton Kershaw made an All-Star appearance, but have no doubt who the current leader of this pitching staff is. His ERA leads the MLB and he hasn’t allowed a run in his last five starts.

2. Josh Donaldson, AL

Josh Donaldson Toronto Blue Jays

2. Josh Donaldson, AL

Josh Donaldson Toronto Blue Jays — Stats: .294/.355/.541, 22 HR, 62 RBI
Josh Donaldson has turned from star to superstar in his first season with Toronto. They have the best offense in baseball by far, and leading the team at the plate is Donaldson. He’s even performing well in the field with 10 defensive runs saved. Donaldson is having a great year, but a player in the AL really has to impress in order to overtake Trout, though.

Stats: .294/.355/.541, 22 HR, 62 RBI
Josh Donaldson has turned from star to superstar in his first season with Toronto. They have the best offense in baseball by far, and leading the team at the plate is Donaldson. He’s even performing well in the field with 10 defensive runs saved. Donaldson is having a great year, but a player in the AL really has to impress in order to overtake Trout, though.

1. Paul Goldschmidt, NL

Paul Goldschmidt Arizona Diamondbacks

1. Paul Goldschmidt, NL

Paul Goldschmidt Arizona Diamondbacks — Stats: .343/.455/.610, 21 HR, 72 RBI
How Goldschmidt hasn’t already won an MVP is a bit surprising, but he’s putting on an impressive performance this season. He leads the NL in plate appearances (392), runs (60), RBI (72) and AVG (.343). If you didn’t notice, he leads two of the three Triple Crown categories. His WAR trails Harpers 5.64 to 6.21, but you have to imagine a Triple Crown winner immediately wins the MVP.

Stats: .343/.455/.610, 21 HR, 72 RBI
How Goldschmidt hasn’t already won an MVP is a bit surprising, but he’s putting on an impressive performance this season. He leads the NL in plate appearances (392), runs (60), RBI (72) and AVG (.343). If you didn’t notice, he leads two of the three Triple Crown categories. His WAR trails Harpers 5.64 to 6.21, but you have to imagine a Triple Crown winner immediately wins the MVP.

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