NL MVP Coming Down To An Intriguing 3-Way Race

September 24, 2021 , , ,

 

For nearly five months of the baseball season, the NL MVP seemed like a lock for San Diego Padres superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. 

But this past month of play has brought two other players to the forefront, while Tatis and the Padres have wilted. Let's have a look at the three contenders, in alphabetical order:

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies

Harper's 2nd half charge has seemingly vaulted him to the front in the MVP race for the last few weeks, overtaking Tatis. Harper's standard batting numbers are pretty impressive: .312 average, 33 home runs and 80 RBIs. Then you have a look at his outrageous OPS+ of 181, and the numbers pop even more. 

As the Phillies have made a late-season push to reach the playoffs, Harper has led the way. Over the last four weeks, his numbers have soared to an incredible .382 average, 1.313 OPS, 9 home runs and 24 RBIs in 26 games. 

Let's not forget about his defense, which is also eliciting calls of "M-V-P!" from the Philly faithful.

And oh yes... the Phillies are just two games back of the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead.

Juan Soto, Washington Nationals

Soto's September numbers are other-worldly. This guy is proving that he is the best hitter in baseball, hands down. His season-long numbers are impressive enough: .325 average, 29 HR, 92 RBIs, and a 182 OPS+. 

But it's his September numbers that are just silly. In his last four weeks, here's what Soto has done: .429 avg, .573 on-base %, 1.342 OPS. 

For the 2021 season, Soto leads all of baseball in:

  • Batting Average (.325)
  • On-Base Pct.      (.470)
  • Walks                  (131 vs. just 84 strikeouts!)
  • OPS+                   (182)
  • WAR                    (7.2)

The only little blemish for Soto is that his Nationals are in last place. But that's hardly his fault, after they traded away their other two superstars, Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, at the trade deadline.

Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres

So this story, we already know. His season-long power numbers of 40 HR and 96 RBIs are strong, and top both Soto's and Harper's. But his numbers have been merely ordinary (for him) over the past month, while his team has taken a staggering nosedive. 

At the trade deadline (July 30), the Padres were 60-46, with 81% odds of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs. 

Since then? The Padres have a 17-29 record, and now own a 0.2% (yes, ZERO-point-two percent) chance of making the playoffs. 

Three wildly different cases. Only one vote. Who you got? 

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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