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Chicago Cubs: Is Javier Baez ready to make another run at NL MVP?
On the heels of another walk-off winner, Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez continues his MVP-caliber start to the season. Where does he rank in the NL?
Each league’s Most Valuable Player award marks the highest individual honors available to big league players. We saw Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant earn the top National League honors back in 2016 and Slammin’ Sammy Sosa in the historic 1998 campaign. Last season, Javier Baez finished as the runner-up and has shown no signs of slowing down so far this year.
The MVP has, in recent years, turned into the WAR and offense award. We have seen the last eight NL WAR leaders go on to win MVP honors. I understand that WAR is supposed to determine who the best player is, but is that what the MVP is? Most Valuable Player should be the impact you bring to your specific club. Things that may not always be represented on the stat sheet (or at least not the offensive stat sheet).
The value that Baez brings to the Cubs goes well beyond production at the plate. This guy is an offensive juggernaut in the National League and happens to be one of the best infielders in the game. He makes plays that Kolten Wong dreams he could pull off. He is an elite baserunner and has the versatility to play anywhere on the diamond. He does not have a weak point in his game and is the best example of a five-tool player in the league today.
As it stands on May 22, your three NL MVP candidates are Javier Baez, Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger.
Chicago Cubs: Bellinger, Yelich both off to strong starts
Bellinger, the right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is off to a scorching hot start. As of Wednesday, he leads the NL in WAR (4.7), oWAR (3.6), on-base percentage (.487), slugging percentage (.783), OPS (1.271) and ranks second in home runs at 17.
If the season ended today, Bellinger would deserve two MVP trophies for his performance. This production cannot possibly be maintained through 162 games. The Dodgers standout is a career .283 hitter and is currently at .404. His at-bats are appointment television because of his unique and powerful swing, but I do not see his batting average, OBP or OPS holding up based on his career and who he is as a hitter.
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Prediction: Cody Bellinger will not be a top-three finalist in this year’s NL MVP race.
Christian Yelich has become a familiar foe to Cubs fans since joining the Milwaukee Brewers. We have gotten to see this stud perform quite a bit over the last couple seasons. Yelich enters the 2019 season as the defending NL MVP and has continued that extraordinary stretch he had late last year.
Yelich has proven he can produce like this over an entire season, which leads me to think he has a very good chance at winning MVP once again.
He currently ranks second in every single category that Bellinger leads. WAR (3.0), oWAR (2.7), OBP (.440), slugging percentage (.732) and OPS (1.172) – while setting the pace with a league-leading 19 long-balls.
Yellich is putting up monster numbers again, but he’s had his time with the trophy. He will finish second to the one and only El Mago.
Chicago Cubs: Sorry, not sorry – this is El Mago’s year
Javier Baez is one of the most exciting players on the planet and is having an incredible start to the season. He ranks third in WAR (2.9) and ranks among the top 10 in slugging (.597), OPS (.959), homers (11), RBI (32) and oWAR (2.1).
Statistics show that at the plate Baez does not produce as much as Yelich or Bellinger. Outside the offensive production, the Chicago infielder is tied for first in dWAR. He is an elite defender and has the ability to translate that to many positions, creating more value.
Baez has hit just about everywhere in the lineup, creating more value. We have witnessed El Mago pull off improbable baserunning numerous times and evolved as one of best baserunners in the game
Next. Baez pulls rabbit out of his hat in walk-off win. dark
While Javier Baez does not fit the stereotypical “new era” of judging baseball’s MVP, there is not a single doubt his value to the Cubs is higher than any other ballplayer. to his respective team. He produces at the plate, on defense, running the bases and switching positions which is why Baez is your 2019 NL MVP.