American League MVP Ballot - Top 5

by Julian Spivey
I don’t have a vote for Most Valuable Player in baseball, but if I did here would be the top five on my American League ballot and the reasons why I chose these five players …
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5. Jose Ramirez (Cleveland Indians)
Jose Ramirez in the span of about two seasons has gone from a utilityman to one of the most underrated stars in the American League for the Cleveland Indians. Ramirez was the Indians most consistent offensive player this year and did so playing all over the field splitting time between second and third base this year. Ramirez hit .318 (fourth in the league) with 29 home runs 83 RBI. His 186 hits were good enough for fifth in the A.L., as well.

4. Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)
It’s a testament to how truly great Mike Trout is that he could only play in 114 games and still be among the five best players in his league. Trout hit .306 this season with 33 homers, 72 RBI and 22 stolen bases. Trout led the American League in slugging and on-base percentage and his 6.4 WAR was the third best in the league.

3. Corey Kluber (Cleveland Indians)
Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber was arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball this year and should be the front-runner for his second Cy Young Award. Kluber led the A.L. with a 2.25 ERA and his 18-4 win-loss record was the best in baseball. His 265 strikeouts were second to only Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale in the A.L.

2. Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
Aaron Judge came out of nowhere this year for the New York Yankees to stun Major League Baseball. There is a very good chance that Judge could join only Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki as players to win both Rookie of the Year (for which he’s a lock) and MVP in the same season. Judge led the American League with 52 home runs, a new rookie record. His 114 RBI were second in the A.L. to Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz. Judge also hit a very respectable .284 and led the A.L. with an 8.8 WAR. His only downfall was leading the league in strikeouts and a sizeable drought during the second half of the season.

1. Jose Altuve (Houston Astros)
It wouldn’t surprise me if Aaron Judge wins the MVP based on a stunning rookie season and mostly an East Coast/New York bias, but I believe Houston Astros diminutive second baseman Jose Altuve should be the MVP. Altuve has won the American League batting title for three consecutive years and is still somewhat underappreciated. He led the A.L. this year with a .346 average, which is 16 points higher than the next guy (Avisail Garcia). Altuve’s power numbers continue to rise with him hitting 24 homers and driving in 81 runs this season while also being one of the game’s best speedsters with 32 stolen bases, third in the A.L. 

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