The 2024 MLB season is off and swinging, and a select group of guys from the National League have come out on fire, and have set themselves above the rest of the league. Here are my top 3 for NL MVP and CY Young through a quarter of the season.
NL MVP:
Mookie Betts - SS, Los Angeles Dodgers - New position, no problem for the MLB leader in wins above replacement with 3.4 (WAR). Despite there being a new $700 million man batting right behind him in LA, Betts has been the best player in all of baseball through a month and a half. He has played every single game for the Dodgers and since the season opener in Korea, the 2018 AL MVP hasn’t missed a beat. Betts is currently slashing .343, .552, .994, to go along with 28 RBIs, and is looking to become the first player since Frank Robinson to win the MVP in both the AL & NL.
Shohei Ohtani - DH, Los Angeles Dodgers - The top 2 in this list happen to be 1 & 2 in the Dodgers batting order this season, and the man who signed the largest contract in MLB history is on pace to have his greatest offensive season to date. Ohtani currently leads the MLB in Hits (63), Avg (.360), Slugging (.669), OPS (1.099), and OPS+ (209). Despite Ohtani being the clear best hitter in baseball, not playing the field this season will certainly hurt his case, and could be the only reason he doesn't notch his 3rd MVP.
William Contreras - C, Milwaukee Brewers - The surprise entry on the MVP list comes in the form of the slugging soon-to-be superstar. The younger brother of multiple-time All-Star Willson Contreras is T-3 in NL WAR (2.7), with a staggering 182 OPS+. To go along with the power bat, Contreras has been playing above-average defense behind the plate and has been the front man for a Brewers team that is currently in 1st place of the NL Central.
NL CY Young:
Shota Imanaga - SP, Chicago Cubs - You would not be called a casual MLB fan if you didn’t hear about Imanaga till about a month ago, but the lefty from Japan is looking to become a household name by the end of the season. He signed a 4 Yr, $53 million contract with Chicago this past winter and has been worth every penny so far. Shota is currently 5-0 with an insane 0.96 ERA and a 429 ERA+, which are both the best in the MLB through May 17th. Imanaga is currently +500 according to sportsbooks to claim the award.
Ranger Suarez - SP, Philadelphia Phillies - The southpaw came into the 2024 season looking to solidify the #3 starter role, but has emerged as the ace of the Phillies rotation through 9 starts. Suarez has a 1.37 ERA, 58 K, and an MLB-best 0.763 WHIP. Wheeler (2.70 ERA) and Nola (3.10 ERA) have been great as well, and the three-headed monster headlines a Phillies team that currently owns the best record in baseball.
3. Javier Assad - SP, Chicago Cubs - Yes, this is the exact top-3 list you “pictured” heading into the 2024 season. The reliever who turned starter halfway through 2023 has been a pleasant surprise for the Northside of Chicago. Assad has a 1.49 ERA, a 278 ERA+, and 42 K’s in 48 IP. Despite only averaging 91.7 MPH on his fastball, Assad has been virtually unhittable this year, and will be hunting down his teammate for the CY Young award all year long.
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