MLB
A Potential MVP That Everyone Could Overlook
If you ask any baseball fan who the MVP of the National League is for 2018, you will get a pretty common answer. Most people will say Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Matt Carpenter and Javier Baez. One player that most fans forget that has a real chance at an MVP in 2018 is Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers). Yelich may not be a household name, but his numbers speak for themselves. On the season, Christian Yelich is batting .315 with 28 homers and 86 RBIs. Yelich is also slugging .554 and getting on base at a click of .381. It should be no surprise to anyone how good Christian Yelich has been this season. He is currently second in hitting, ninth in on-base percentage, and fifth in slugging compared to everyone in the National League. Yelich resides in the top-10 in almost every offensive category so far this season and has been huge in the Brewers’ run at a playoff spot this October.
The Yelich Trade
This past off-season, the Brewers gave the Miami Marlins four minor league players in exchange for Yelich. Headlining the return to the Fish was a top-tier prospect, Lewis Brinson. This move, along with the addition of Lorenzo Cain, quickly made the Brewers a force in the NL Central. Yelich’s impact on the team not only set the Brewers apart from the Cubs and Cardinals but also set them apart from the rest of the National League. Yelich’s WAR on the year is 5.4, which is eighth in the National League, fourth among position players, and first among offensive WAR. It is safe to say that the Brewers’ trade for Yelich was brilliant for the future of this team.
What Sets Yelich Apart From the Others?
There are many things that can set players apart from each other in a close MVP race. Yelich has quickly emerged as a dangerous five-tool player. He can run, throw, play defense, hit for average, and hit for power. Yelich has consistently been producing offensively and defensively for the Brewers throughout the entire season. His numbers continue to rise and his name continues to grow. As the season comes to a rapid end, Yelich is living proof of the phrase, “numbers don’t lie.” Does he deserve it? Absolutely. Do others deserve it just as much? This is also true. Christian Yelich has certainly made a case and raised some eyebrows for the 2018 National League MVP.
Photo Credit to Ian D’Andrea from Flickr
