Top five American League MVP candidates
The 2023 Major League Baseball season is heading into the home stretch. Who will take home the hardware as the American League's Most Valuable Player? Here are the top five contenders in reverse order (Yardbarker's top five National League MVP candidates are here. YB's top five NL and AL Cy Young Award candidates are here and here.)
All stats are through Thursday.
5. Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay Rays | 1B
KEY STAT: .327 batting average, highest among qualifying AL hitters
During Tampa Bay's remarkable 13-0 start to the season, Diaz tallied 11 hits, four home runs and nine RBI in 11 games. Over his last 14 games, Diaz is batting .377 with 23 hits as he looks to become the first player in Rays history to win American League MVP and/or the AL batting title.
4. Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers | 2B
KEY STAT: 152 hits, tied for second most in AL
The durable Semien leads the major leagues in plate appearances (622). If he finishes first again, it will be his fourth time in the past five seasons, and he had top-three MVP finishes during his stints in Oakland and Toronto.
The 32-year-old Semien is the veteran leader in the clubhouse and has played a key role in the turnaround for the Rangers, who are battling Houston and Seattle for first in the American League West.
3. Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros | RF
KEY STAT: 97 RBI, tied for most in AL
Tucker has broken through this season as the newest star of the defending World Series champions. He leads the Astros in hits (140), home runs (26), RBI (97) and stolen bases (26).
Given the injuries to Jose Altuve and the struggles of free-agent acquisition Jose Abreu, Tucker has established himself as the most dependable hitter in Houston's lineup as the Astros make the push for a World Series repeat.
2. Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners | CF
KEY STAT: 153 hits, most in AL
The defending AL Rookie of the Year is picking up where he left off last season. "J-Rod" is one of baseball's newest superstars, leading Seattle to a tie for first in the AL West thanks to his incredible performance in August. Over 23 games, Rodriguez hit .429 with 45 hits and 30 RBI.
1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels | DH/RHP
KEY STAT: 44 home runs, most in MLB
Ohtani, an impending free agent, won't pitch again in 2023 after suffering his second UCL tear. Even with his injury, Ohtani is still in the lineup. He's 8-for-22 in his most recent stretch.
In addition to his 44 homers, he leads the major leagues in triples (eight), slugging percentage (.661) and OPS (1.071). On the mound, his 167 strikeouts rank seventh among American League pitchers. There's no telling whose uniform Ohtani will be wearing at the start of next season, but one thing couldn't be more clear: No team deserves him less than the Los Angeles Angels. He's the second generational talent the Angels have wasted away.
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