Chicago Cubs: Javier Baez should be early favorite for NL MVP

The Motor

Baez has been the motor by which the Cubs are moved this season. If he goes, they go. If he’s on his game, chances are, the team follows. One way or another, he’s helped the team win games — and it’s not just his offensive attack. Baez is is still good for one of these every once and a while:

I never get tired of watching a ridiculous fielding highlight like that. Once more, though, back to offense. While his batting average of .290 ranks 16th in the NL, Baez is fourth in the National League in OPS at .987 thanks to his whopping .653 slugging percentage — good for second in the NL. The 25-year-old also has 10 multi-hit games this year.

Let’s not forget something he’s been knocked for since turning pro. Baez has been a notorious strikeout candidate. While his 26 on the year might seem a bit high, he’s still lower than guys batting above him such as Brandon Belt, Starling Marte and A.J. Pollock who are all above 30 strikeouts on the year.

Next: Cubs and White Sox set for 2018 Crosstown Cup

Known as one of the more fiery players in the game, some might view it as immaturity, and that’s OK. So far, a feisty, young kid from the Cubs is playing his way into the National League MVP discussion. Although, is it really a discussion at this point? It seems to me that Baez should be the clear front-runner at the moment.