National 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 National League ballot and the reasons why I chose these five players …
 
5. Charlie Blackmon (Colorado Rockies)
Sure, his offensive numbers are likely aided by playing at Coors Field in Denver, but Charlie Blackmon’s numbers from the leadoff spot simply can’t be ignored. Blackmon set the record for most RBI from the leadoff spot this season with 104, breaking Darin Erstad’s record. He also hit 37 home runs while winning the National League batting title with a .331 average.

4. Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals)
I believe Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer should be the National League Cy Young winner this season as the N.L.’s best pitcher, but I also believe he should receive some MVP votes (which I know is controversial for some). Scherzer was the league’s most dominant pitcher this year compiling a 16-6 win-loss record with a 2.51 ERA (second in the league behind Clayton Kershaw) and a league high 7.2 WAR for pitchers.

3. Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies)
It might be controversial to have two Colorado Rockies on my MVP ballot top five, but the Rockies did surprise many this year by winning the second wild card in the National League and making the playoffs. It’s hard to argue with Arenado’s offensive numbers and he’s also a gold glove defender. Arenado finished third in the N.L. with 37 homers and second in the league with 130 RBI while hitting over .300. Arenado has hit 37 or more homers in each of the last three seasons.

2. Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is the seemingly popular pick to win the National League MVP award this season with terrific all-around numbers that include 36 home runs (fourth in the league), 120 RBI (fourth in the league) and a .297 average. Goldschmidt led the surprising Diamondbacks to a playoff appearance this season and has been one of the most underrated players in baseball for much of his career.

1. Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins)
Some people have a bias where they don’t believe players on teams that miss out on postseason don’t deserve to win the MVP award. In most case I believe the MVP should come from a playoff team, but Giancarlo Stanton’s 2017 offensive numbers were out of this world. Stanton hit 59 home runs, the third most all-time by a non-PED user. His 59 homers were a whopping 20 more than the runner-up in his league (Cody Bellinger). Stanton’s 132 RBI also led his league and his .281 average was 13 points higher than his career average. His 7.6 WAR also led the N.L. 

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