As the summer heat blazes through ballparks, the smell of freshly cut grass mingles with the enticing aroma of sizzling hot dogs and buttery popcorn. The chatter of excited fans, the murmur of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter form a lively atmosphere that envelops you in a sense of community and anticipation. Anyone who denies baseball is Americas favorite pastime clearly has not waited in line for the Jeff’s stand in Dodger Stadium. Had they gone, the next stop would be climbing the stairs, icy drink, and hot dog in hand, to find their seat. Settling down for first pitch, the sun bathes the field in a golden glow, making the green expanse of the outfield shimmer. Whispers of greatness echo in the stands, hinting at a player whose sheer brilliance on the field will earn the most respected and coveted award in the MLB. The stage is set, the stakes higher than ever, and the baseball diamond becomes a battleground where legends are forged. Amidst the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd, one question hangs in the air, electrifying every pitch and every swing: Who will claim the crown as this season’s NL MVP?
Between stunning performances and disappointing superstars, this thrilling search for the MVP requires deep analytical comparisons and impartiality. —Disappointing Superstars— After Austin Riley’s incredible season last year, batting .281 with 117 Runs, 40 HR, and 100 RBIs, many hoped he’d take the next step, becoming a true superstar and entering MVP conversations. Despite his success last season, he has been laughable, with less than a tenth of the HR in a third of the games and missing over 15 games due to injuries. Similarly, Ronald Acuna Jr. performed historically last season which won him his first MVP, yet this year he’s batting a very mediocre .250, and until this month had one HR, compared to 40 last year. —Stunning Performances— Alternatively, Shohei Ohtani’s been putting up unbelievable numbers, surpassing his already high expectations and living up to his $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
After searching through many candidates for the NL MVP, one player came to mind, the Braves’ Marcell Ozuna who is overlooked despite being first in batting stats this season. In his first 190 at-bats, Ozuna has smashed 15 home runs, and 50 RBIs, along with an impressive .307 batting average. Although these numbers are incredible, their true significance comes only in comparison to other players. Shohei Ohtani, who is unanimously a top MVP contender, has ten less RBIs and fewer home runs. Additionally, Shohei is surrounded by other outstanding players, as the Dodgers hold four of the top ten batters in the NL right now. With a supporting cast that strong, it is no surprise that the Dodgers are #1 in their division. Marcell Ozuna, on the other hand, has been lifting the struggling Atlanta Braves to a second-place spot in his division. Ozuna has taken on a crucial leadership role on the Braves since many key players have either been underperforming like Ozzie Albies, or injured like Austan Riley and Ronald Acuna Jr. Ozuna’s next best teammate is Matt Olson, who’s ranked 40th, as opposed to 2nd place last season. Ozuna also keeps up with superstars like Shoei in advanced stats. They both have an OBP in the .390s and an OPS of about 1. Marcell Ozuna is the most valuable because he is doing more on just as good a team, without the same support that other superstars have.
Another important factor to consider is the way Marcell Ozuna stacks up against other past MVPs. Barry Bonds is widely considered to be the greatest baseball player of all time. He holds the record for career home runs (762) and posted outstanding career stats including over 500 stolen bases and almost 2,000 RBIs. As Bonds entered this legendary part of his career, he won his second MVP in 1992. Through the first 190 at-bats of this historic season, Barry Bonds himself had 17 home runs, only two more than Ozuna has right now. Ozuna also has just one less RBI than Bonds had through this stretch, his average is only .01 less, and he has a similar OBP and OPS. Some might argue that that was a long time ago, the standard is higher now, but Ozuna holds up against many recent MVPs as well. In 2016, Kris Bryant had an exceptional season earning him his first and only MVP. Throughout the same beginning stretch of around 200 AB, Kris had just four more home runs, and he had a worse batting average, almost 20 less RBIs, and only a few more runs. Marcell also has both a better OBP and OPS than Kris did. This season, Ozuna is keeping up both with legendary MVP seasons like Barry Bonds in 1992 and recent MVP seasons like Kris Bryant in 2016, he is clearly MVP material.
Marcell Ozuna’s stellar performance this season is a testament to his exceptional skill and resilience. Despite being somewhat overlooked, his impressive stats –15 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .307 batting average– coupled with his leadership on a struggling Braves team grappling with injuries and underperformance make him a standout candidate for the NL MVP. Ozuna’s ability to match, if not surpass, the achievements of both all-time greats like Barry Bonds and more recent MVPs like Kris Bryant underscores his value and impact on the field. His consistent excellence exemplifies the key elements of the award for the most valuable player. While other stars have loaded rosters and thriving teammates, Ozuna’s struggling team makes his role undeniably vital and a well-deserved contender for the MVP title. With all sorts of possibilities looming, the excitement in the stadium air just got thicker. As fans settle into their seats, each with their own snacks and opinions, the game has never been more interesting. So, as the season progresses, keep an eye on Marcell Ozuna—he just might be the MVP we didn’t see coming.
