The Texas Rangers haven’t had an MVP since 2010. That’s the year Josh Hamilton completed his meteoric rise to becoming the best player in baseball, not just the American League.
The Rangers have a proud history with the MVP award. Five different Rangers have been crowned as the AL’s best since the franchise relocated to Texas, winning a total of six MVPs.
In addition to Hamilton, the roll call includes Alex Rodriguez (2003), Iván Rodríguez (1999), Juan González (1996, ’98) and Jeff Burroughs (1974).
Could 2024 be the year another Ranger makes this list? MLB.com compiled a list of one prediction for each club this season and the Rangers’ entry had Corey Seager winning the MVP.
Not only should the World Series MVP put up the numbers – he racked them up in 2023 despite missing more than 40 games – perpetual MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani has moved across town to the National League’s Los Angeles Dodgers.
Per MLB.com:
Seager had one of his best seasons in 2023, finishing second in the AL in batting average (.327), slugging percentage (.623) and OPS (1.013) en route to a second-place finish in the AL MVP race. He played just 119 games because of injuries, but still hit 33 home runs and 96 RBIs. Seager won a Silver Slugger Award, was an All-MLB First-Team shortstop and was the starter at the position in the All-Star Game, while also finishing as a finalist for the Gold Glove Award.
With Ohtani’s exit to the NL, Seager’s chances at his first MVP Award have increased significantly. And if he performs anywhere near his 2023 level, he’ll be a finalist again at the very least.
Seager will start the season on the short list of MVP favorites. Should the Rangers remain in playoff contention and Seager performs as expected, his odds will only get better.
Not that there isn’t significant competition across the AL. There certainly is even within the Rangers infield. While, Seager finished second to Ohtani last season, double-play partner Marcus Semien was third.
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