Why Mookie Betts Should Run Away With the NL MVP

Betts's Versatility

Mookie Betts has a versatility that few players can match. He can adeptly transition to shortstop, a position he hasn't played since high school. Betts has won six Gold Gloves in the outfield and can play key infield positions. He's an 11-year veteran with a lucrative career, making positional moves few players of his caliber would undertake.

Defensively, Betts has performed commendably at shortstop, filling a crucial gap for his team left by the departures of Corey Seager and Trea Turner. Additionally, his adjustment from second base to shortstop has been well-received.

If Betts wins the NL MVP, he'd join an elite group of players who have earned MVP honors with multiple teams, signaling a potential team destiny led by his outstanding contributions in 2024.

The post Why Mookie Betts Should Run Away With the NL MVP appeared first on Just Baseball.

Mookie Betts to make history?

With 141 games left for the Los Angeles Dodgers, various factors could still influence this potential outcome. However, Mookie Betts is already in a strong position to determine his own fate in the MVP race.

Should he secure the NL MVP Award in 2024, he would become only the second player, following Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, to win MVP titles in both leagues.

Here are three key reasons solidifying Betts as the frontrunner for this award.

Natural Athlete

Mookie Betts showcases remarkable talent. At 31, Betts has had an exceptional start to the season, with a WAR significantly outperforming other top players. His current OPS of 1.137 exceeds his career-high, reminiscent of his 2018 American League MVP season with Boston. Betts's performance includes three stolen bases, setting him on track for his best total since 2018, an improved walk rate and fewer strikeouts.

He's batting .500 with runners in scoring position and two outs, and his recent five-hit game is a season first. His consistent home runs, including a career-best streak, place him among NL leaders. Projected over a full season, his performance could result in a record-setting bWAR, challenging historical benchmarks set by legends like Babe Ruth.

Mookie's Competition

Currently, 11 AL players have reached a 1.0 fWAR, but in the NL, only four players have matched this performance, highlighting Mookie Betts's significant lead. His closest competitor could be teammate Shohei Ohtani, who, despite his prowess, faces limitations this year due to not pitching after offseason elbow surgery and his role as a designated hitter. Discussions about Ohtani playing outfield are speculative, especially with Betts fixed in right field.

Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. and 2021 winner Bryce Harper haven't reached peak performance yet. Several promising hitters, like Ketel Marte and Orlando Arcia, though starting strong, typically haven't maintained such performance throughout a full season.

Betts's Versatility

Mookie Betts has a versatility that few players can match. He can adeptly transition to shortstop, a position he hasn't played since high school. Betts has won six Gold Gloves in the outfield and can play key infield positions. He's an 11-year veteran with a lucrative career, making positional moves few players of his caliber would undertake.

Defensively, Betts has performed commendably at shortstop, filling a crucial gap for his team left by the departures of Corey Seager and Trea Turner. Additionally, his adjustment from second base to shortstop has been well-received.

If Betts wins the NL MVP, he'd join an elite group of players who have earned MVP honors with multiple teams, signaling a potential team destiny led by his outstanding contributions in 2024.

The post Why Mookie Betts Should Run Away With the NL MVP appeared first on Just Baseball.