Former USD Torero Kris Bryant Named National League MVP

“A well-deserved honor for a player that puts his name in the MVP conversation year in and year out, ” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Trout in a release.

Player value is increasingly better understood.

The voting was done in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

The line is still hazy to this onlooker.

Coverage of the AL MVP announcement begins at 6 p.m. on MLB Network.

As I wrote earlier Thursday, this is not an award for the “best” player; it’s for the most valuable. Join the Chowder and Champions team!

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager finished third, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo fourth and Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado fifth.

In a vote to select simply the best player Betts, a Boston Red Sox right fielder, finished second.

Long regarded as a fine hitter, Murphy built on his power surge from 2015 by putting up career highs in home runs (25), RBI (104), slugging percentage (.595) and OPS (.985).

The only reason “Big Papi” is behind Betts on this list is because he doesn’t play in the field.

Trout, who led the league in runs scored (123), on-base percentage (.441) and walks (116), batted.315 with 29 home runs, 100 RBI, 30 steals and a.991 OPS. They’re the top two in the AL.

In 2012, Trout beat him in WAR 10.6 to 7.2.

There’s always been a question of just how accurate defensive evaluations are, and therefore a question of WAR’s accuracy.

Betts finished in second for the MVP award. He added “All the talk was, ‘If your team doesn’t have a great record, what do you think of your MVP chances?’ For me I have to stay positive”. However, he is the third youngest to win more than one MVP award. He has been the team’s emotional leader for the last 14 years. Trout got 19 first-place votes.

Both vote totals are a victory for the new-age sabermetrics statistic called WAR – wins above replacement. Edwin Encarnacion was 14th. You deserved it, for all that you’ve done on the field for your team, but also for all you’ve done for your fans, the kids, and your close-knit family.

Mookie Betts will have to wait his turn.

Bryant is truly a player and person who it’s cool to cheer for and admire.

Where is the breaking point? Most baseball players dream of winning this award at some point in their career.

Altuve helped lead the Astros to a huge second half run for a playoff run, but just finished short of the postseason. Bryant’s two-year run is unprecedented. But one can argue it’s impressive Betts had the stamina for so many trips to the plate.

Betts just turned 24 last month.