Chicago Cubs: Is there a legitimate MVP candidate on this team?

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

With 52 games to play, the Chicago Cubs are making believers out of people. And it’s not just Cubs’ fans anymore. The four-game sweep of the defending World Champs has made them the talk of the baseball world. The kids are growing up right before our eyes. Jake Arrieta is a full-blown Cy Young candidate. Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber could easily be the 2015 version of Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith (Who’s who is yet to be determined) in the Rookie of the Year race. So is there a legitimate candidate for the Most Valuable Player on this team?

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The award has been watered down at times, often being more of a most “outstanding” than valuable. Several Cubs are making an impact down the stretch, and while their numbers aren’t as eye-popping as some–they are most definitely valuable to the Cubs and the playoff push that is a year ahead of schedule. So even if they don’t show up on the ballot for NL MVP, the following are making their case as the Cubs’ MVP.

Next: No longer part of the 25 and under, but still so good

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Rizzo – .295/.402/.534, .936 OPS, 21 HR, 63 RBI, 15 SB

Last year Rizzo finished 10th in voting for the NL MVP. The numbers are trending up and he should finish at or above last year’s totals. After recently celebrating his 26th birthday, he’s no longer part of the 25 and under group–so now he’s the “veteran” leader. It seems to be a role he’s well suited for.

After a rough stretch that saw Rizzo struggle to make contact as his average dipped to .279, it’s no coincidence that as Rizzo goes, the Cubs go. In the last 10 games, the Cubs are 9-1. Rizzo has slashed .457/.500/.886 with a 1.386 OPS. Add to that three home runs and 10 runs batted in and it’s no surprise the Cubs are on the role they are.

The Cubs signed Rizzo early, banking on him to become THIS exact type of player. Well played Theo, well played.

Next: Hulk Smash!

Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Schwarber – .341/.429/.604, 1.033 OPS, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 27 SO

The strikeout total is there only to prove that Schwarber is indeed mortal. The other thing it shows is that strikeouts aren’t as detrimental as they may seem when your BAbip is .431. The young Schwarber works the count, and my guess is you likely didn’t realize he’s struck out one-third of the time. It’s because when he does hit it…Hulk Smash.

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When the Cubs drafted Schwarber last year, they identified him as the best hitter available in the draft. Where he played would be an issue for later. My guess is they didn’t realize later would be this year. But his bat has been too hot not to have in the lineup, which led to the “benching” of a three-time All-Star in Starlin Castro. Again, I still like the kid if he accepts his role. Castro off the bench, or Jonathan Herrera? I’ll take Castro all day.

So far his time in left field has been “uneventful”. He’s made the plays he’s needed to, nothing too difficult. Behind the plate; he’s making progress, but the Cubs are focusing on keeping his bat in the lineup while mixing up the order in whatever fashion makes it happen. Miguel Montero is back, and David Ross will return. But the kid is here to stay regardless.

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Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Arrieta – 13-6, 2.38 ERA, 155.1 IP, 158 Ks, 2 CG, 1 SHO (And he’s hit a home run and a triple)

Snubbed in back-to-back seasons for an All-Star appearance. A mention last season as a Cy Young candidate (finished 9th). Yet there are still many who don’t realize how good this guy is. The San Francisco Giants know, ask them what they think. Arrieta has become one of the most consistent in the game, as he’s allowed more than three earned runs just four times this season (four runs each time).

In his last 10 starts, he’s 7-1 with a 1.23 ERA–two complete games and a shutout. His lone loss came in the series against the Phillies in which the Cubs were swept. Arrieta didn’t pitch badly in that game, but Cole Hamels no-hitter was a bit better. Joe Maddon has shown faith in Arrieta to let him get out of tough spots, and he’s responded by doing just that.

Jon Lester was brought in to be the ace of this staff, and as of late looks like the pitcher the Cubs hoped to get when they signed him for $155 million. But the truth is, the ace has been in Chicago all this time.

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Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Kris Bryant – .249/.360/.441, .801 OPS, 17 2B, 4 3B, 15 HR, 65 RBI

Bryant may not have hit the lofty expectations that most fans that we set for him, but there’s no debating the impact he’s had on this team and it’s “ahead of schedule” push for the playoffs. The strikeout have been a concern, and the average isn’t the .400 many expected (heavy sarcasm), but Bryant leads the team in RBIs while not being a terrible third baseman like everyone thought.

The power stroke seems to come and go, but when he hits them they look effortless.While he’s struck out 132 times, it’s important to point out he’s not going down swinging at three terrible pitches. On the contrary, he’s missing on pitches in the zone, and not before he sees a few. Bryant currently sits seventh in the NL in P/PA (pitches per plate appearance) at 4.16. Addison Russel is fifth at 4.17 and Dexter Fowler is 10th at 4.13. Remember how the Cubs chase three of the Giants four starters from the game early? This is how you do it.

The league has had more time to adjust to Bryant than Schwarber, and the ball has been put back in KB’s court. If the last seven games are an indicator, his .333 (7-for-27) with a home run and five runs batted in show he’s making the adjustments needed–and at just the right time.

Next: Team before MVP?

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

These are just a few of the Cubs that have been a big part of the team’s push. I easily could have put Hector Rondon on this list, and even Addison Russell could make a case. Hell, I could make a case for David Ross. He might not be impressive at the plate, but the man can still sling it from behind the plate. 

Jorge Soler has seemingly solved his chasing the slider issue, Dexter Fowler is suddenly an on-base machine and the bullpen keeps doing their job–not without some excitement–but it’s a team effort from top to bottom.

The point is I could make a case for many of this year’s Cubs to how valuable they’ve been to the team this season. But in the end, if the Cubs don’t have a player finish in the to ten for MVP voting but make the postseason? No one is going to care. Not me. Not the players. Not you.

52 games to go. If things keep going the way they are I may have to update this list, or make it a weekly feature.

#LetsGo #WeAreGood

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