MVP Candidates

Just a few games to play in the first month of the season and a few players have separated themselves in each league as front runners for the MVP.

AL MVP Candidates

The AL has a few teams with multiple candidates, so I will break them down by the four teams that are represented.

First we will take a look at Iowa City I Wanna Score More star and Former NL MVP, Ted Wilson. Wilson is currently batting .350 with 10 HRs and 19 RBI to go along with 6 stolen bases.

The Tacoma Amber Flashlongs star, Kirt Purcell has been having an exceptional year to date. The rf is batting .432 with 10 HR and 30 RBI and is making a strong early push to be near the top of voting if he can continue this hot streak.

Next we go to the Montreal Royals where they have 2 players worth consideration. 1b Jason Levine and lf Andy Clayton. Clayton is currently batting .347 with 4 HRs and 19 RBI to go along with a .490 obp, while Levine has been adding the power to the lineup with 10 HRs and 29 RBI to go along with his .316 average. Both have helped Montreal be a serious World Series contendor this season, as in seasons past.

Finally we go to Philly where the offensive juggernaught, the Philadelphia Black Lightning, have three players who have helped contribute to this team averaging 8.59 runs a game. Free Agent aquisition Alex Arnold has been worth the 13 million the club is paying him this season so far leading the AL in Home Runs with 12 and Runs Batted In with 34. He also has a .326 average, .413 obp and 25 runs. Arnold is on pace to hit over 80 HRs this season if he continues his scourching pace. Next is 2b star Ed Donovan who has been in the running for the MVP every season. Donovan is hitting .354 with an amazing .495 obp. Donovan is always a threat on the bases with 8 stolen already this year to go along with 6 HRs and 18 RBI and 29 runs, only 2 behind the league leader. Last is lf Walter Miller, who was a late addition to the list as he has been slowing down as of late but he still deserves consideration with his 9 HRs and second in the league (only behind teammate Alex Arnold) in RBI with 30. Miller is a threat to steal 40+ bases and could join the 40/40 club this year, he was 1 HR shy two seasons ago.

NL MVP Candidates

It was much harder selecting candidates in the NL, where one player stood out above the rest. Expect the NL list to change more dramatically then the AL list as the season progresses.

First let's start in Charlotte where the Charlotte Heavy Petting Zoo have two early season candidates, 2b Achilles Cohen and ss Jimmie Pichardo. Pichardo has racked up 34 hits on the season so far to come in with a .395 average and 22 RBI and a .455 obp, while Cohen has hit .338 with 9 HRs and 26 RBI. Charlotte is counting on these two to continue to contribute in big ways to get them into the postseason.

Next we travel to the Boise Spudchuckers clubhouse where rf Chip Morton's 12 game hitting streak has moved him near the top of the early season MVP candiates. Morton is now hitting .352 with 9 HRs and 28 RBI to compile a .761 slugging percentage and is the main reason that many consider Boise to be the best in the National League.

The Fresno Griz have kept themself in early season contention due mainly to the bat of 1b Tim Kinney. Kinney is currently the early favorite with his .400 batting average, 13 HRs and 28 RBI and his dazzling .889 slugging percent and 1.354 OPS.

Last but not least is Louisville Long Balls 1b Edgar Rios. Rios leads the NL in RBI with 30 and has a solid .297 average and 12 HRs.