Sleeper(ish) NL MVP Candidates

Singer. Perez. McCombs. Those are the easy answers when it comes to a potential MVP candidate in the National League. Is it such an easy choice however? Matt Singer had a fantastic rookie campaign, setting a RLB record for hits in a single season. Jared McCombs was not far behind, showing tremendous power and speed in his initial season. Antonio Perez continues to be a wizard at shortstop while providing enough bat to boost his WAR.

Questions follow each player. Can Singer continue to hit at a high average? Will McCombs be able to maintain a high enough batting average and OBP to go along with his power numbers? Perez has had three straight 8+ WAR seasons, can he provide enough of a standout season to overcome any voter fatigue that may be settling in?

Here is a look at five players that did not receive a single MVP vote last season but could step into the race this year.

Hideo Tanaka

Tanaka has been the model of consistency since coming to the NL in 1975; since that time, he leads the league in BA, OBP, Slugging percentage, OPS, HR, and RBI. Does anything else need to be said? Coming off a season where he slashed .326/.423/.580 along with 37 HR and 129 RBI, Tanaka shows no signs of slowing down in his age 35 season. The only thing holding him back is defense; if he can return to form of previous years his name is one that can easily jump to the top of the list.

Jimmy Parker

Raise your hand if you have forgotten that Parker posted a 10+ WAR season only three years ago. If I wasn’t typing, my hand would be right there with yours. Still only 25 years old, Parker may not even be at his prime yet. Scary, considering that all he has done is produce since coming over to San Francisco. Don’t forget all this comes in Candlestick Park, a notorious pitcher’s park; imagine the numbers he would put up in even a league average stadium. If Parker can figure out how to hit left handed pitching, MVP would be his to lose.

Justin Klebes

Don’t think his numbers are solely a product of Coors field; Justin Coors he is not. This guy could hit anywhere. .321/.377/.579 along with 40 HR and 86 XBH total in his first full season in RLB, he isn’t going anywhere but up. The #4 overall pick in the 1977 draft has progressed quickly, don’t be surprised to see him take another step forward (or two) this year.

Justin Johnson

Great speed and plate discipline. Well above average defensively in CF. Johnson is quietly one of the best center fielders in all of RLB; not flashy without the big power numbers of some of these other players, but he simply gets it done every season. He may not get the publicity, but don’t sleep on this great player out of St. Louis.

Adam McGahee

In two seasons at the RLB level, McGahee is second in BA, third in OPS, third in hits, and leads the NL with 87 doubles. He also provides solid if not spectacular defense at 1B, not killing his overall value. After producing a 5.8 WAR in each of his campaigns, that number could take a jump upward if some of those doubles land in the seats. Keep an eye on this consistent young player, McGahee could just sneak into being one of the top players in the NL.

Did I miss your favorite player or somebody else you think can jump up and have an MVP type season? Sound off in the comments.