NL MVP Contenders in 2021: Who Steps Up?
Each baseball season brings a flurry of excitement and anticipation as the race for the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award heats up. As of the early months of 2021, the top contenders are standout players who have displayed exceptional performances throughout the season, contributing significantly to their teams' successes.
The Debate Surrounding NL MVP
Typically, the candidate for the NL MVP is either a player with a solid batting average, impressive home run totals, or an outstanding pitching record. Key figures such as Ronald Acu?a Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, known for combining power and speed, and Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose all-around excellence is widely recognized, are often at the forefront of these discussions. Additionally, emerging stars or those with remarkable second-half performances could also gain significant traction in the MVP race.
How to Stay Updated
Keeping an eye on current statistics and player impacts is crucial to staying informed about who is likely to win the NL MVP. As the season progresses, these numbers provide the latest insights into the MVP race, helping fans and analysts alike predict the most deserving candidate.
The Subjectivity of Postseason Awards
While the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWA) generally does a commendable job of selecting justifiable MVPs and Cy Youngs, there are always outliers who cast their votes based on personal preferences rather than objective performance. One significant reason for this is the development of a narrative that revolves around a specific player during the season. Writers, who may become captivated by that narrative, often use it as the sole justification for their MVP votes. A perfect example of this occurred in the 2012 American League (AL) MVP award, where Miguel Cabrera won the award despite Mike Trout being the league's most valuable and productive player.
The Current Contenders
In the current 2021 season, there is a growing narrative surrounding Ronald Acu?a Jr. and his 30/60 or possibly 40/70 season. Although his performance is noteworthy, the argument that these numbers alone justify his MVP campaign is questionable. Acu?a's 30 home runs and 66 stolen bases are commendable and have led the league in both categories. However, his 13 stolen base attempts, including 13 caught stealings, limit the overall value of his offensive contributions. On the other hand, Mookie Betts has fewer stolen bases but also fewer caught stealing, making him slightly more valuable in most offensive statistics.
Conclusion
The justification for Acu?a Jr. to win the 2021 NL MVP award as the first 40/70 guy is a flawed one. While his numbers are impressive, the reality is that stolen bases are not as valuable as other offensive contributions such as walks, and the risk of being caught stealing further diminishes the potential value of those advances. If Acu?a wins the MVP, it won't be a travesty, but it would be unfair to the player who is currently the most valuable and productive in the league, Mookie Betts.