2021 Midseason MLB Awards: Most Valuable Player

Midseason Awards: NL MVP

Similar to the American League, the NL MVP race is between an elite offensive player and a guy who can hit and pitch. Those players are FERNANDO TATÍS JR. and JACOB DEGROM.

Like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatís Jr. is the son of a former MLB player. However, unlike his father, who was a decent player, Junior is literally the face of baseball and living up to the hype.

Statistically, Tatís Jr. has a 4.1 fWAR, which is tops in the National League. Also, his 26 home runs, .702 slugging percentage, and 1.089 OPS lead all NL hitters. Tatís’ 17 stolen bases are one shy of the league lead, currently held by Washington Nationals infielder Trea Turner.

Sure, It’s not often that a starting pitcher is discussed as a potential MVP candidate. Well, Jacob deGrom isn’t your ordinary starting pitcher. 

We’re talking about the guy with the lowest ERA through his first 14 starts of a season in the history of the game. deGrom’s 0.95 ERA is close to half a run lower than the next best guy Sandy Koufax, who posted a 1.40 ERA through his first 14 starts in 1966.

It gets better. Though deGrom isn’t Shohei Ohtani at the plate, he isn’t your ordinary NL pitcher hitting either. This season, he is responsible for more runs crossing the plate offensively – 6 runs batted in + 4 runs scored – than he has earned runs as a pitcher (9 ER).

Put simply, this has been a historic season for the 33-year-old flamethrower. Is it enough to best Tatís for the most important awards? At this rate, I would have to say, YES!

NL MVP Verdict: Jacob deGrom