Betts, Yelich top the ballots
Boston leadoff man, Milwaukee slugger run away with the voting
As baseball has been redefined by analytics in recent years, one role that has been largely reconsidered is that of the leadoff batter. No longer is it the realm of the pesky, pitch-spoiler who gets on frequently and steals bases.
The Astros put their leading home run hitter, George Springer, at the top of the order and rode his hot bat to a World Series title in 2017. In spring training, the New York Yankees tinkered with their lineup briefly by batting Aaron Judge first in an exhibition game.
It was on that day in March when Alex Cora, the new Boston manager who had previously been a coach with the Asros, was asked what his prototype leadoff hitter looked like.
“For me, somebody very close to Mookie Betts,” Cora said. “That’s my vision of the leadoff guy.”
That assessment proved to be prescient this season as Betts, who led his team to a franchise-best 108 wins and a World Series title, followed that up by winning the American League Most Valuable Player Award on Thursday. Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers was named MVP of the National League.
Betts was a leadoff batter and more for Boston. He batted .346 and posted a .640 slugging percentage — the highest figures in the majors — while stealing 30 bases and hitting 32 home runs, both career-highs.
Such dynamic offense paired with his stellar defense in right field — he recently won his third consecutive Gold Glove — got Betts the first-place vote on 28 of 30 MVP ballots.
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, who finished second, and Betts’ teammate J.D. Martinez, who finished fourth, each got one of the two remaining AL firstplace votes. Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez finished third.
Alex Bregman of the Astros finished fifth, six points behind Martinez.
Just as Betts lapped the field, so, too, did Yelich. He garnered 29 of 30 NL firstplace votes to easily outpace Cubs second baseman Javier Baez and Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado.