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Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Making their case: NL MVP edition

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 11/8/23

The 2023 season saw many historic offensive performances after implementing new rules that favored the hitter not only in the batter's box, but also on the basepaths, and it made for heavily contested award races down the stretch.

With the finalists for the 2023 NL MVP now set, a winner must be chosen. Let's take a look at each player's case for the award.

Ronald Acuna Jr., outfielder, Atlanta Braves
2023 stats: .337/.416/.596, 41 HR, 106 RBI, 149 R, 73 SB in 159 games played

After a subpar 2022 season returning from a torn ACL, the 25-year-old outfielder entered the 2023 season aiming to prove that he was still one of the best players in the majors, and he did just that.

By posting the first 40-HR, 70-SB season in MLB history, he proved that his knee injury was fully behind him and that he was not afraid to let his legs do the talking for him.

Leading off for a Braves offense that tied the record for most home runs in a season, Acuna's ability to jump-start the offense played a big part in Atlanta's success that led them to the best record in baseball.

Ronald Acuña Jr.'s season was one for the history books! pic.twitter.com/Hs0GaDeT0q
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 7, 2023

While his defense was a little suspect in right field, posting a -9 outs above average, it shouldn't be enough to keep him from taking home his first MVP trophy in 2023.

Mookie Betts, outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers
2023 stats: .307/.408/.579, 39 HR, 107 RBI, 126 R, 14 SB in 152 games played

Winner of the 2018 American League Most Valuable Player Award, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts put up yet another MVP-worthy season, this time in the National League.

Like Acuna, Betts also did his damage out of the leadoff spot for the Dodgers and really loved playing in front of Dodgers fans, slashing .335/.432/.662 with 24 of his career-high 39 home runs at home.

The 31-year-old even split time between right field, second base and shortstop when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts needed to shuffle the lineup due to injuries.

His defensive versatility and ability to play each position at a high level add to his MVP case.

"[Mookie's] the MVP... most versatile player."

Mookie Betts had an amazing season, excelling at three different positions on the diamond, but will it be enough to top Ronald Acuña Jr. and Freddie Freeman? @officialBBWAA pic.twitter.com/ce4tn4tEfe
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 7, 2023

While his offensive numbers are similar to Acuna's outside of stolen bases, it could be argued Betts was a more valuable player to his team with all of the injuries the Dodgers sustained and due to his defensive prowess.

Freddie Freeman, first baseman, Los Angeles Dodgers
2023 stats: .331/.410/.567, 29 HR, 102 RBI, 131 R, 23 SB in 161 games played

Another member of the Dodgers, first baseman Freddie Freeman put up a great season, but his inclusion as a finalist ruffled some feathers on the internet.

Freeman was a doubles machine in 2023, smacking a Dodgers franchise-record 59 and joining former Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton as the only players to hit 59 doubles in a season since 1937.

Doubles King, Freddie Freeman. pic.twitter.com/mJrtQB4Bhj
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 9, 2023

One of the most consistent hitters in baseball since his rookie year in 2011, Freeman displayed a new facet to his game with a career-high 23 stolen bases, which also helped him set a career-high in runs scored with 131.

Always one of the more reliable fielders at his position, that didn't change in 2023. The 34-year-old only committed one error in 161 games.

While he is the longest shot of the three to win the award, Freeman deserves credit for another historic season in his outstanding career.

The NL MVP Award will be announced live on MLB Network at 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 16.

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