After the first month of the 2022 MLB regular season has concluded, it is time to do the math and make a list of the top 5 players for the National League MVP award.
Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres and Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies are going through a great offensive momentum, which has been key to their respective teams’ current positive record.
National League MVP Ranking
5.- Merrill Kelly – Arizona Rattlers
Despite Arizona’s last-place finish in the National League West Division, Kelly was dominant during the first month of major league action.
The 33-year-old right-hander has a 2-1 record with a 1.27 ERA and 1.02 WHIP after five starts. In addition, he recorded 26 strikeouts in 28.1 innings of work.
4.- C.J. Cron – Colorado Rockies
The Rockies first baseman made big use of his appearances at Coors Field to post an MVP-worthy line in April that currently places him among the candidates for the 2022 Most Valuable Player award.
In 88 at-bats, Cron has a .307 average and .354 OBP, with 9 homers and 22 RBIs.
3.- Carlos Rodón – San Francisco Giants
In order that the Giants can reach the postseason again, they need their starting pitching staff to be at a very good level, such as the one shown by Carlos Rodón at the beginning of the regular round.
After five starts in the 2022 MLB campaign, the 29-year-old left-handed pitcher is 3-1 with a 1.55 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. In addition, it is impressive that opponents are hitting for a .141 average.
2.- Manny Machado – San Diego Padres
In the absence of the stellar Fernando Tatís Jr. due to injury, Machado has been one of the offensive stars of a San Diego team that aspires to achieve great things in the current Major League campaign.
In 23 games of the 2022 regular round, the Dominican has a .375 average and a .440 OBP, with 4 home runs and 16 runs batted in. He also has 4 stolen bases.
1.- Nolan Arenado – St. Louis Cardinals
In the midst of his second season with the Cardinals, Arenado looks extremely comfortable as the offensive leader of a team that is always a contender for the NL Central Division pennant.
After his first 22 appearances in the 2022 season, the American third baseman has 29 hits, six homers and 18 RBIs. He also has a .354 average and 1.095 OPS.