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For the first few months of the season, it looked like Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was going to run away with the MVP award in the National League.
Perhaps he is still the leading candidate.
However, the race has gotten much, much closer in recent weeks.
Acuna is slashing .331/.417/.569 with a .986 OPS, 28 home runs, and 56 stolen bases.
However, his own teammate Matt Olson is up to 43 homers and 108 RBI, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have two legit candidates in Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.
Betts, in particular, has been outstanding as the Dodgers have cemented their place as the best team in the NL West.
A Dodgers insider is explaining his MVP case, and it’s as good as any other player’s in the NL.
“Mookie Betts this season (MLB ranks) • 6.4 fWAR (1st) • 165 wRC+ (T-2nd) • .595 SLG (3rd) • .414 wOBA (T-3rd) • 34 HR (4th). Playing elite defense at second base, shortstop and in right field. Time to put his name in the MVP conversation,” Blake Harris tweeted.
Mookie Betts this season (MLB ranks)
• 6.4 fWAR (1st)
• 165 wRC+ (T-2nd)
• .595 SLG (3rd)
• .414 wOBA (T-3rd)
• 34 HR (4th)
Playing elite defense at second base, shortstop and in right field
Time to put his name in the MVP conversation pic.twitter.com/kj6ZUFWMzw
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) August 20, 2023
Harris is absolutely right.
If you want a more traditional measure to see how good Betts has been with the stick, take his .989 OPS.
That’s the best in the National League and only trails Shohei Ohtani in MLB.
Betts has 34 home runs, 101 runs scored, and 86 RBI.
As Harris says, he is also a phenomenal defensive player wherever the team puts him: right field, second base, or shortstop.
He is just a fantastic athlete and an incredibly smart player.
With a strong finish, he could win his first NL MVP award, which would look nice next to his 2018 AL MVP award.
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