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The National League has had most teams cross the halfway point of the season which means we have to give you a list of guys we think are on pace to take home some hardware for their regular season performance. We have a small sample size but I did my best to look at the numbers and give you my peak performers from the first half of play in 2020. The Cy Young and NL MVP race are both tight but the players listed have done their part to have their names mentioned below. I also have a couple honorable mentions for each category.
*All stats were collected on 8/25
NL MVP Race:
Charlie Blackmon / Colorado Rockies
Charlie is insanely hot to begin 2020. He’s one of two player’s in the league with an average sitting above .400 and leads the entire MLB in hits (45). Blackmon currently has a slashline of .405/.442/.568 and is tied for second in the NL with 24 RBI’s. When looking at the advanced metrics Blackmon has some liabilities but leads the NL by a considerable margin in the BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play) category, currently sitting at .457 with the next closest guy being Dansby Swanson at .429. He doesn’t have a strong WAR compared to others on this list as he’s second on his own team and has a rating of 1 even. The Rockies have a 14-15 which is going to have to improve if Blackmon wants a shot at the MVP. Regardless, the batting stats alone give him a place on this list and if he keeps this pace he might be able to capture his first MVP trophy at age 34.
Fernando Tatis Jr. / San Diego Padres
The current king of Slam Diego isn’t the 300 million dollar man Manny Machado, it’s the 21 year old superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. He has been doing everything for the Padres, leading the MLB in RBI’s at 29, Runs scored at 29, and HR’s at 12. Leading the entire league in 3 major stat categories should be enough to cement him here halfway through, but there is so much more to add to this young sluggers case. He’s top 3 in slugging percentage, averages a home run in less than every 10 AB’s with a current AB/HR of 9.83, ranks second for stolen bases, and leads the league in total bases. Tatis makes electric plays in the field from shortstop and has a current WAR of 2.1 which is tied for second in the league. He does strikeout a good amount and has a pretty low walk percentage but that’s mainly due to him torching the ball. Tatis Jr. is absolutely on fire and a definite candidate for this award so far.
Mookie Betts / Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie is just as dangerous of a player even with the move to the west coast. The Dodgers made a splash this offseason and traded for superstar and former AL MVP Mookie Betts and he has not disappointed LA so far. Mookie is always near the top in most offensive categories, currently ranked 2nd in HR’s and RBI’s for the NL and top 10 in runs, stolen bases, and hits. He leads the entire league with a 2.4 WAR and plays for the current best team in the league with a record of 22-8. Mookie has had a 3 HR game this year and provides a great glove and arm out in right field for the Dodgers. He currently has the second highest odds to win the MVP per SportsBettingDime.com.
Mike Yastrzemski / San Francisco Giants
The dark horse and shocker this season for the National League is definitely Mike “Yaz” Yastrzemski. Nobody expected to see the 30 year old on any MVP lists going into the season and has certainly exceeded his expectations thus far in 2020. The Giants leader has been keeping up with the best of the NL leading the league in triples and walks (23) with a slash line of .309/.429/.625. The young star is 2nd in runs, 2nd in OPS, 6th in hits, 5th in RBI’s and has appeared in every game for the Giants this season. His WAR is 6th in the MLB and 4th in the NL. The expanded stats show Yaz as the league leader in extra base hits (20) and tied for third in Total Bases (71). The Giants star has been a pleasant surprise so far and is a big reason why San Francisco isn't in the cellar like many analysts predicted.
Honorable Mention:
Bryce Harper: .321/.449/.654 7 HR’s, 19 RBI’s in only 78 AB’s.
Trevor Story: .297/.362/.602 9 HR’s, 18 RBI’s, 71 Total Bases.
J.T. Realmuto: .295/.347/.636 9 HR’s, 25 RBI’s, League Leader in AB/HR (9.78)
NL Cy Young:
Yu Darvish / Chicago Cubs
Yu has been excellent in his 6 starts with the Cubbies and is near the top in the NL in most major pitching categories. The 34 year old Chicago ace is 1st in wins (5), 3rd in ERA (1.70), 3rd in Innings Pitched (37.0), 4th in Strikeouts (44), and 7th in WHIP (0.92). Yu has been dealing for the NL Central leading cubs and currently is tied for 13th in WAR for the National League and leads the NL in Strikeout/Walk ratio (7.33) Darvish boasts an 8 pitch arsonal but we’ve only seen 6 in 2020, mainly his devastating Cutter at 48.5 percent.
Max Fried / Atlanta Braves
Max Fried came out of nowhere this season as an absolute ace for the Braves as he posted very solid numbers in 2019 but nothing near what we’ve seen from the 26 year old in 2020. Fried leads the MLB in ERA (1.32), as well as Runs Allowed (5). He hasn’t allowed a HR in 34 innings pitched this year and has the best WAR in the National League amongst pitchers sitting at 2.0. Fried currently holds a 4-0 record on an injury ridden Braves team. In the National League he ranks 8th in WHIP (0.97), 6th in Hits Allowed (22), and 7th in Opponents Batting Average (.188). The Atlanta ace is on pace for a career year and is a heavy contender for the Cy Young award.
Jacob Degrom / New York Mets
The Mets ace is looking to be just the third pitcher ever to three peat as the Cy Young award winner. He started the season with the best odds to win the pitchers top honor at +300 and currently sits at +500. He has only started 5 games but has great stats in the first half of the 2020 campaign. In the National League Degrom is 5th in ERA (1.93), 5th in Hits Allowed (20), tied for 2nd in Earned Runs (6) as well as Walks Allowed (5) and 4th in WHIP (0.89). He has been a monster for this Mets team who has been underwhelming in 2020 with a record of 12-15. Degrom will be in contention to take home some hardware come late September and early October.
Trevor Bauer / Cincinnati Reds
The current front runner for most oddsmakers to take home the NL Cy Young is star Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer (+300). Bauer made a splash in the offseason with his comments towards commissioner Rob Manfred, the Astros scandal, and his YouTube presence. He has been on his A-game all season as the former all star is 5-0 to begin the year with a NL best WHIP (0.78). He’s first in Opponents Batting Average (1.34) as well as Hits Allowed (15), 2nd in Strikeouts (49), and 2nd in ERA (1.65). He is the only pitcher in the MLB with 2 complete games and shutouts and has an insane 13.5 K per 9 which leads the National League through 5 games. Bauer relies on a 6 pitch arsonal but mainly hurls 4 different pitchers at his opponents, leading the way is his 4 seamer followed by a cutter and then some offspeed. With a Strikeout percentage of nearly 40% Bauer has cemented himself in the Cy Young race.
Honorable Mention:
Sonny Gray: ERA (2.21), WHIP (0.98), 12.52 K per 9
Dinelson Lamet: ERA (1.89), WHIP (0.84), Opponent BA (.147)
* All odds via spo
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