By Malone Graham
The Major League Baseball regular season wrapped up on September 29th and with all 162 games officially complete, postseason play is now in full swing. Along with the excitement of October baseball comes the discussion of league-wide awards for the 2019 season. The tightest race of those being the Most Valuable Player from the American League.
The American League features two players who have incredible numbers to back up their MVP bid. Mike Trout, centerfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, had yet another dominant performance this year.
Trout continues to improve on his already Hall of Fame-worthy career, hitting 45 home runs this season along with a .645 slugging percentage, both of which are career highs. Despite his season-ending foot injury he suffered on September 7th, Trout still managed 104 RBIs in only 134 games. Trout led his team in hits, runs scored, and walks, displaying just how valuable he is to the Angels organization. Trout has been named an All-Star every full season he has played in the MLB, but the lack of talent surrounding him has limited him to only one playoff appearance in his eight-year career. Playing on a 72-win team could potentially hinder Mike Trout’s chances at the award, something he is unfortunately used to. Although he is a 2-time MVP, Trout has also finished second in the voting four times in his career. Mike Trout has the stats needed to win his third MVP of his career, but his injury and underperforming team might give the advantage to the other MVP candidate out of the American League West division, Alex Bregman.
Alex Bregman is the best player on the best all-around team in baseball, the Houston Astros. That fact alone will give him a substantial amount of votes for MVP, regardless of his stat line. Although he already has that advantage, the .296 batting average and 112 RBIs for the third baseman add a lot of credibility to his name. The 2-time All-Star has been the biggest and most reliable producer at the plate within the stacked Houston line-up. Bregman slashed a career-best 41 home runs this year, while also leading the MLB in walks with 119. The 25-year-old also added to his MVP portfolio with the versatility he displayed on the defensive side of the ball. Due to the injury of Carlos Correa, Bregman took over the shortstop duties for several weeks this season and showcased his exceptional skills at both positions on the left side of the infield, something no other player accomplished. He also ranks first in the American League with an 8.4 WAR, a stat that has steadily increased for him throughout his career. Along with Bregman’s slash line, being the main contributor of a 107-win team will likely give him the edge in the race for MVP.
Mike Trout and Alex Bregman are deserving players with very similar stats, making this two-man race for MVP as close as it has been in recent years. Baseball fans will have to await the announcement of the American League Most Valuable Player award, set to be made in mid-November.
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