MLB award favorites through the end of May 2016

Machado leads the AL in WAR through May, posting a 1.003 OPS and also playing elite defense at two positions. His value increased when he moved from third base to shortstop following J.J. Hardy's injury.

A pitcher winning MVP? It certainly looks possible with the historic start from Kershaw. L.A.'s ace leads the league in innings (86.2), strikeouts (105) and ERA (1.56). His 105/5 K/BB ratio is nothing short of incredible.

Trout is consistently in the AL MVP conversation, finishing top two in voting in each of the last four seasons. There's no doubt he will remain in the conversation this year if he stays healthy. He currently has a career-best .992 OPS and leads the league with a .419 on-base percentage.

The Nats are getting their money's worth from Murphy after he signed in the offseason. He was hitting .397 through the end of May, leading the league with a 1.062 OPS and 77 hits. His hot streak from the 2015 playoffs has carried over.

Bradley's hitting streak ended at 29 games, but he's been one of the league's breakout stars. The center field has a 1.010 OPS through May and is just one shy of his career high of 10 home runs.

Fowler came back to the Cubs in spring training and has been everything they could have hoped for and more. The leadoff man is setting the table with a .967 OPS and .434 on-base percentage.

Houston has struggled this season, but that's not Altuve's fault. The diminutive second baseman has a .953 OPS and leads the AL with 15 stolen bases.

Chicago paid a hefty price to acquire Zobrist this offseason, and he's been worth every penny so far. Zobrist leads the NL with a .445 on-base percentage and is on pace to set career highs in nearly every offensive category.

Bogaerts won the Silver Slugger last season, and he's been even better this year. He leads the AL with a .350 batting average and is one off his home run total from last year. His .917 OPS at a premium position gives him MVP appeal.

Arenado's offensive numbers are aided by Coors Field, but that doesn't diminish the progress he's made as a hitter. He's become a far better contact hitter, with only 23 strikeouts in 50 games, and also leads the NL in home runs and RBI. Arenado also continues to play Gold Glove defense at third base.

Sale has slowed recently, but he still leads the AL in wins (nine), innings (78.2) and WHIP (0.88). He's finished top five in Cy Young voting in each of the last three seasons and seems due to finally win the award, now with a 2.29 ERA.

With Kershaw the front-runner for the NL MVP, it goes without saying that he's also the leader for the NL Cy Young. It would be the fourth Cy Young on his mantle if he can pull it off.

Quintana has blossomed into the White Sox's second ace, leading the AL in ERA (2.13) while his strikeout rate has increased. The lefty has allowed only two home runs in 72 innings.

The defending NL Cy Young winner, Arrieta is 9-0 with a 1.56 ERA in 11 starts. His strikeout and walk numbers don't come close to Kershaw, but the sub-2.00 ERA for the second straight season puts him within striking distance for the award.

Hill is an incredible story and could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline. The veteran lefty has emerged from pitching in the Independent Leagues last year to start out 8-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 11 starts.

Thor, as Syndergaard is known, could challenge Clayton Kershaw for the Cy Young if the Mets allow him to throw enough innings. He's 5-2 with a 1.84 ERA in 11 appearances, with a ridiculous 9.00 K/BB ratio.

Salazar still walks too many batters, but he's cured his past home run issues to this point and been Cleveland's ace. He leads the AL with a 10.7 K/9 and has a great 2.39 ERA in 10 starts.

It looks like the Giants got a bargain signing Cueto for $130 million in the offseason, as the ace has returned to form, going 8-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 11 starts. He also leads the NL with three complete games.

Wright only made Boston's rotation because of Eduardo Rodriguez's knee injury, but he's been the team's best pitcher. The knuckleballer has a 2.45 ERA through 10 starts.

Bumgarner has consistently been one of the NL's top pitchers during his career and is at it again with a career-best 2.12 ERA and 10.3 K/9. Somehow, he arguably hasn't been his team's best starter with Johnny Cueto mowing down hitters.

Mazara was called up when Shin-Soo Choo got hurt early in the year and hasn't looked back. The 21-year-old is hitting .302-9-24 for the Rangers through May.

Signed from Cuba in 2014, Diaz's stock fell after a poor 2015 season in the minors. He's re-emerged as the Cardinals' shortstop this year, replacing the injured Jhonny Peralta and hitting .330-7-26 through May.

Park was known for his big power in Korea, and he's backed up the hype with nine home runs through 43 games. Unfortunately, he's struggled to make contact, and it's hindered his batting average, down to .213.

Matz's rookie eligibility remains after getting injured last year, and he's easily been the Mets' second best starting pitcher. The lefty is 7-1 with a 2.60 ERA through nine starts.

White got off to a great start for the Astros but really slowed in May. Still, he has a .748 OPS and seven home runs through May as Houston's starting first baseman.

Seager has backed up the hype, hitting .278-9-27 through May for the Dodgers. The shortstop is well within striking distance of Aledmys Diaz for the NL Rookie of the Year.

Acquired by Detroit last year at the trade deadline for Yoenis Cespedes, Fulmer has been great through six starts with a 3.24 ERA and more than one strikeout per inning. He's been a shot in the arm for a pitching staff that desperately needed help.

Story got off to a historic start before slowing in May. Still, the power-hitting shortstop is among the league leaders with 14 homers. Unfortunately, he also leads the NL in strikeouts.

Lee is just a role player for Seattle, but he's been a great one. The platoon first baseman has seven home runs in only 75 at-bats through May.

Drury has played every day all over the diamond for Arizona. While learning new positions, he's hit .287-8-18 through May.