The MLB season is now in the second half, which starts the conversation for the major award winners in each league. Most of us can agree that as of right now, the clear cut winner in the American League is the 2-time runner up Mike Trout, who once again continues to wow us with his greatness at such a young age. As for the National League there is room for debate.
When you think to yourself… “Who is the National League MVP?,” the names that come to mind are Troy Tulowitzki, Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton, and Yasiel Puig. Those players are all worthy candidates, but Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy is not getting enough attention.
After the conclusion of Wednesdays’ game against the Reds, Jonathan Lucroy’s slash line is .312/.382/.500 while hitting 11 home runs and driving in 47 runs. Not only is Lucroy one of the best offensive catchers in the game, but his defense is right up there with the great Yadier Molina. Lucroy is in the top 10 in the major defensive categories such as defensive runs saved, fielding percentage, and the number of base runners caught stealing.
Jonathan Lucroy has become one of the best all-around players in the game. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Lucroy has piled up a 4.5 WAR, which combines a player’s all-around value. That number has him tied for 4th in the NL with Jason Heyward. In conclusion, Jonathan Lucroy is one of the most “valuable” players in the National League and he should start getting the recognition he has earned.
A big reason why Lucroy should be a leading candidate for the NL MVP Award is the simple fact that his team, the Milwaukee Brewers, is in 1st place. This author is a big proponent that the MVP in each league should be on a playoff contending team. On that merit alone, one would have to take Tulowitzki and Stanton out of the conversation. That leaves the reigning MVP Andrew McCutchen and the Cuban sensation Yasiel Puig. The argument for Lucroy over those two guys is that McCutchen’s Pirates are below Lucroy’s Brewers in the NL Central and Puig is playing alongside several perennial All-Stars that take some load off of him.
Lucroy is the heart beat of this Brewers team and it just so happens he won the 2014 Heart and Hustle Award for the Milwaukee Brewers presented by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association who give this award to one player on each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams.
The most recent moment to aid Jonathan Lucroy’s MVP candidacy was Tuesday night against the division rival Cincinnati Reds when he hit the walk-off home run in the 9th inning, the second home run of the game for the All-Star catcher.
Even though Lucroy has Ryan Braun and an emerging star in Carlos Gomez in the lineup, Lucroy is the clear leader of that team. He is a staple in the middle of the lineup and he steers that pitching staff in the right direction night in and night out. If Lucroy continues to have this kind of effect on games, on both sides of the ball, the surprising Milwaukee Brewers just might do some damage when it counts in September and October. However far the Brewers go this year, it will be on the back of MVP candidate Jonathan Lucroy.