Since the first month of the season, Mike Trout has been the frontrunner to take home his 3rd MVP award. This season has perhaps been his best ever and despite another disappointing year from the Angels, Trout did everything he could to help his team win.
After suffering a foot injury that will cause him to miss the remainder of the season, the question is, will Trout still win the award, or will someone else pass him in the last 2 weeks?
Astros slugger Alex Bregman seems to be the biggest competition in the AL. Although Trout has put up better numbers in WAR, home runs (career-high 45), and OBP, Bregman has a couple of advantages over him.
To start with, Bregman’s versatility is a huge plus, as his above-average defense at third base has carried over to filling in for the injured Carlos Correa at shortstop. The Astros have one of the deepest lineups in baseball, and Bregman has been their most healthy and consistent hitter all year.
He has started 144 of 150 games and took over the leadership role while star players Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Carlos Correa were all injured. In addition, his plate discipline is one of the best in baseball, as he has drawn over 100 walks on a team with many dangerous hitters behind him.
While Trout’s numbers still edge Bregman’s by a small margin, if Bregman can put together a hot stretch in the last two weeks of the season, he has a chance to pass the injured Trout and win his first MVP award.
