Making the Case for a Kris Bryant MVP
As we are nearing an end to August, baseball’s regular season begins to wind down for much of the country. This isn’t the case in Chicago as the real season is beginning to ramp up. While the Chicago Cubs season is far from over (assuming a run in the playoffs) we get to reflect on the first five months of the season.
One of the biggest standouts – and that is a huge understatement – has been Cubs third baseman, Kris Bryant.
Kris is having a huge season for Chicago – again with the understatements – in his second season he will have improved every offensive category, not bad for a sophomore slump. He’s also shown versatility that is rare among superstar players. While playing in 117 games (so far in 2016) Bryant has played six positions, including all three outfield positions, shortstop, first base, and of course third base.
But there are still questions by some that if Kris Bryant is the National League MVP. While their arguments include many things completely out of Bryant’s control, here’s why he will be crowned the best in the National League in 2016.
Batting Average
Many fans (Cubs as well as fans of other teams) have said Bryant’s batting average is too low to be the MVP. While we’ve moved past some “old stats” and onto more sabermetric stats, or stats that are better at telling the story of how productive of a season one has, batting average is one of those stats that has stuck.
To date Bryant owns a .300 BA, which is good for 18th in baseball. The obstacle here is the biggest competition outside of Chicago for the MVP is the Washington Nationals’ Daniel Murphy. Murphy currently owns a .344 average, which will be attractive to some voters.
While you can’t take away what Murphy has been able to do offensively, outside of average or RBI (another stat that is mostly irrelevant with stat-heads), there is something about selecting the best player on the best team in baseball.
While Murphy has amassed an astounding two more hits than Bryant per month, is it enough to unseat Kris as the presumptive MVP? We think not.
He’s too young
Bryant is 24.231 years old and in only his second season as a big leaguer. There is a thought circulating that Bryant is both too young and cannot win his first MVP faster than guys like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper.
Not only is his age or service time irrelevant, the argument itself is completely idiotic. None of which take into account that he has been the most valuable player to his team’s success in the National League. Would you hold an award back if someone was too old?
There have been 23 younger players than Bryant that have won an MVP award. Two of those players are Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, with Harper being more than two years younger than Kris when he won the award last season.
The argument against Bryant winning the award is, he’s not as good as either of those two to be put on their level. While I would completely agree that Kris isn’t on the Trout level as he looks to be an all time great, is he really that far out of the Harper conversation?
Bryce is advertised as a better player, but the differences aren’t as glaring as some around the league would like you to think. Bryce’s first two seasons in baseball weren’t especially spectacular, and certainly not add good as Bryant’s. Compiling WAR’s of 5.1 and 3.7 and slash lines of .270/.340/.477 and .274/.368/.486 respectively. Compare this to Kris’ 5.9 and 6.1 WAR and .275/.369/.488 and .300/.392/.565 slash line.
Looking at the numbers again, maybe Bryce isn’t on the same level as Kris?
Anthony Rizzo will steal too many votes
I want to go our on a ledge and say, if you didn’t have Anthony Rizzo as your preseason MVP, you probably haven’t been paying attention. His trajectory in the game has been impressive, and as the undisputed leader of this Cubs team – it all lined up to be his year.
So what went wrong? He struggled through many stretches early on. While he did continue to drive in runs, and has lead the team in that regard almost wire-to-wire (yes the season isn’t over yet), Bryant has been more consistent throughout the entire season.
Kris leads the Rizzo in just about every other statistical category as well. Runs, home runs, WAR, avg, you name it. While Rizzo stealing votes very well could be a thing – there is no doubt that Bryant has been more valuable to the team in 2016.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Rizzo, and would end up with a bullet hole if you held a gun to my head asking which I like more (Bryant or Rizzo). It is just, when it comes to MVP voting Kris had done more, and done it more consistently. If you don’t believe me, Rizzo hit .235 from March through May of this season, while Bryant compiled a .281 average.
Leadership
There is a thought that, while well-liked, Bryant isn’t as valuable to his team because he doesn’t add that leadership factor. Guys like Rizzo do add that immeasurable quality.
The thing is, Bryant brings something to the table that no other player in the MVP race brings – versatility.
While yes, you can look at Bryant’s UZR and defensive metrics at each position he’s played. But this doesn’t tell the entire story.
Bryant gives manager Joe Maddon and the Cubs the ability to be flexible in a daily lineup, allowing the Cubs to weigh their starters towards a lefty-righty match-up. But perhaps more importantly, he allows Joe to make defensive moves within a game that NO OTHER TEAM CAN DO. This allows Joe and the Cubs the ability to make that late inning move, without losing a player. This extends the Cubs bench, essentially giving them a 26 man roster.
Kris Bryant IS the best player in the National League. Kris Bryant will win the National League MVP. Kris Bryant will become the first player ever to win Collegiate Player of the Year, Minor League Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and MVP in consecutive seasons.
Get used to it baseball, Kris Bryant is here.
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