WAR for AL MVP: Tracking Mike Trout, Mookie Betts in battle for baseball’s top award

MLB’s MVPs are almost always among the league leaders in the wins above replacement (WAR) stat, which attempts to gauge a player’s overall contribution to his team’s success. To almost no one’s surprise, perennial WAR-horse Mike Trout battled for the top spot during the 2018 season.

Over the first half of the year, Trout was on track to challenge Babe Ruth for the greatest single-season performance in history, but ultimately fell off the pace when he was injured. The Sultan of Swat compiled 14.1 wins above replacement in the 1923 season. As it was, the Angels five-tool wonder tallied a WAR above 10 for the third time in his still relatively young career.

UPDATED October 2, 2018

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts finished sixth in the AL MVP voting last year, and second the year before that. At the time of his abdominal injury in May, Betts led the league in runs, hits, batting average, slugging percentage and total bases. As the the league leader in WAR playing on baseball’s best team, Betts may be in line for his first MVP crown come November.

2018 Season

Last year, despite missing 45 games due to a thumb injury, Trout managed to finish 5th in American League WAR. No one was surprised when he finished second this year despite another stint on the DL. The 7-time All-Star finished the season as the MLB leader in bases on balls and on-base percentage.

2018 Season

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman, in his first full season in the majors, has proven himself to be an elite defender and more than competent with a bat in his hands. He tallied 24 home runs and .864 OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) to go along with his Gold Glove-worthy work at the hot corner.

2018 Season

Building upon an last year’s excellent production, Indians infielder Jose Ramirez finished in third place in the American League with 7.9 WAR, surpassing his previous career high of 6.9.

2018 Season

If Betts doesn’t snag his first MVP award, teammate J.D. Martinez just might. In his first season with the Red Sox the slugger led the league in RBIs and total bases.

2018 Season