From Newsweek · Jon Paul Hoornstra · · 1m 40s
Tigers rookie emerging as dark horse MVP candidate
Kevin McGonigle's stellar rookie season has him in contention for American League MVP despite Detroit's long playoff odds.
In brief
Kevin McGonigle's stellar rookie season has him in contention for American League MVP despite Detroit's long playoff odds. A crowded MVP race with no clear frontrunner could help McGonigle become the first rookie to win since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. Originally reported by Newsweek.
Tigers keep playoff hopes alive
Detroit won their sixth straight game Tuesday, but sits 4.5 games back for the final wild-card spot with only 11 games left. Their postseason odds are less than 2 percent.
McGonigle leads in key MVP stat
The 22-year-old shortstop leads all AL position players in Baseball Reference's Wins Above Replacement and ranks third in FanGraphs' version of the same metric.
Crowded MVP race has no clear leader
Four candidates have legitimate claims to the award, each with notable flaws. The lack of a frontrunner could benefit McGonigle, who would be the first rookie MVP winner since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.
McGonigle's all-around excellence
The All-Star leads the AL in hits, runs, and on-base percentage while playing elite defense at shortstop. He's generated nearly as much value in the field as with his bat.
Witt Jr. and Alvarez face obstacles
Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. missed time with a back injury and his team is last in the division. Houston's Yordan Alvarez leads in batting average and slugging but plays DH and his team's playoff hopes are uncertain.
Caminero and postseason impact
Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero leads the AL in home runs but also in errors. McGonigle's MVP chances could improve if other candidates split first-place votes or if postseason success becomes a tiebreaker.
The main idea
A crowded MVP race with no clear frontrunner could help McGonigle become the first rookie to win since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.
