Pittsburgh Pirates

Rum Bunter's 2016 National League MVP

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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In the coming days here at Rum Bunter we will be giving out our 2016 National League Awards. And that starts tonight with the National League MVP.

Now that the 2016 Major League Baseball regular season has ended eyes can be pointed toward the offseason. The offseason includes, first and foremost, postseason play, free agency, trades, and award. We will start by looking at the National League Awards.

The first of these awards in the 2016 National League MVP Award. The 2016 National League MVP race was a multi-horse race. However, in my opinion, one player separated himself from the pack.

This player is Chicago Cubs’ third baseman Kris Bryant. The former second overall pick had an incredible sophomore campaign. Due to this he will look to back up his 2015 National League Rookie of the Year Award by being named league MVP in 2016.

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During the 2016 season Kris Bryant accumulated 699 plate appearances. In these plate appearances Bryant slashed .292/.385/.554/.939 with a .396 wOBA, 149 wRC+, a .262 ISO, an 11.2 dWAR, and a WAR of 8.4.

Bryant’s WAR led the National League, and was second in all of Major League Baseball behind Mike Trout. His wOBA and wRC+ both ranked fourth in the National League, and his 39 home runs were third most in the league.

One of the biggest factors in Bryant being my league MVP is also his defensive versatility. Not only is Kris Bryant the best hitter in the National League, but he also can play multiple positions defensively. And, most impressively, he plays them all well.

In 2016 Kris Bryant played six different positions for the Chicago Cubs. These six positions were third base, first base, shortstop, left field, center field, and right field. And Bryant finished the season with at least one defensive run saved at each position except shortstop. And Bryant played just one inning at shortstop.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh Pirate fans, Kris Bryant is only 24 years old. He will be a catalyst in the Cubs’ lineup for a long, long time. And that sucks.

For my money, Kris Bryant is already the second best player in all of Major League Baseball in Mike Trout. And I believe he is the best player in the National League. That is why he is mt 2016 National League MVP.

Honorable mention: Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, Dodgers SS Corey Seager

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