Way Too Early MLB MVP Watch: April 15
As most that follow the MLB know, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up too much after seven games.
But still, at the beginning of every year, people get overly excited about teams and players that start off hot.
It is almost impossible to keep up the production of a seven-day hot streak over the course of a 162-game season. But some players who are already performing well have the ability to find continued success and make a case for the MVP.
José Ramírez
The Cleveland Guardians aren’t expected to compete for a playoff position this year, but they do have one of the most exciting hitters in baseball with José Ramírez.
Ramírez has been in MVP conversations many times in recent years. He finished in the top-10 of the voting in four of the last five years.
So, it is no surprise that the Cleveland third baseman has started the season on fire.
Ramírez leads the American League in hits with 13 and RBIs with 14.
His performance at the plate has led the Guardians to a record of 4-3.
Ramírez will obviously cool off, but he is capable of having a batting average around .275 and hitting around 40 home runs and 110 RBIs.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Last year’s runner up for AL MVP has started off what many expect to be a season similar to last.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the MLB in home runs with five after hitting three long balls in the third game against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees.
This performance shows that he has the ability to lead the league in home runs yet again.
The Blue Jays are looking to compete for a World Series appearance this year and they’ll have to get there on the back of Guerrero.
So far, he has proven that he is up for the test.
Seiya Suzuki
There have been many Japanese players who have big seasons when they arrive to the states. Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki is looking to follow in the footsteps of players like Shohei Ohtani, Ichiro Suzuki and Masahiro Tanaka.
Suzuki is tied with Pete Alonso for most RBIs in the National League with 10 and currently has an OPS of 1.395.
The Chicago outfielder was the sole offensive force against the Pirates in the first game of their series. Suzuki brought in the only two runs for the Cubs with two home runs.
If he can keep up this production, it is very likely that the MLB will have a Japanese MVP in back-to-back seasons.
Nolan Arenado
After being in the MVP race for five straight seasons, Nolan Arenado regressed in 2020 and 2021. He was still able to put up respectable numbers but wasn’t in the MVP conversation because of his drop in batting average.
The Cardinals’ third baseman has started the season off on fire with an average of .400.
He also made a big contribution to St. Louis’ 6-5 win over Kansas City by hitting a two-run home run in the first inning.
Arenado will continue to be the center piece to the Cardinals’ offense. If he can get his average back around .300, he’ll be able to put up the home runs and RBIs to make him an MVP candidate again.
Jayson O’Connell is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jbo5216@psu.edu.
