With the Chicago Cubs having high expectations coming into this 2016 season, we all knew that Anthony Rizzo & Kris Bryant were on a mission. Not only to bring the North Side a long overdue championship but to smash baseball as well. Them and the whole Cubs team have lived up to any expectations given before the season. Bryant & Rizzo, Bryzzo, are hand and hand in NL MVP favorites. But guess who is also a favorite? Daniel Murphy, The Cubs NLCS worst enemy.
After what most people thought was a fluke and just a hot streak for Daniel Murphy in the playoffs last year, has really turned that hot streak into a full season so far. He is batting a .348 with 22 home runs, and 72 Rbi's. He is the leader in the pack for the Nationals as they 8.5 games in first place over the Marlins.
Come November, Kris Bryant will be the 2016 NL MVP. Why? Even though Daniel Murphy is batting 62 points higher than Bryant, Bryant's OBP is only 4 less than Murphy which means Bryant is still working the counts and getting on base. Even in just his second season, he has matured into a great patient hitter. That has also continued with his strike outs. His ROY season, his strike out rate was 30.6% and has dropped it down this year to 23.4%. Thats a dramatic drop in one season. His walk rate is at 11.5% this year. His base running abilities have been top notch as well. Joe Maddon likes to emphasize on "Respect 90" and Bryant does just that, by putting his head down and run hard after every hit no matter if its a home run or a dribbler.
Not only is he getting on base a lot, he is doing everything he can for the Cubs to win. He has played in 6 positions this year and it goes to show all the versatility in one player. No matter where he is at, he comes ready to play and he makes a difference. Bryant's WAR (Wins Above Replacement) is at 5.35 with a month and a half yet to play, that also leads the NL. Murphy doesn't even come close to that.
Bryant is a true slugger. He topped his home run total from 2015 and has 28 home runs while having 72 RBI's. The RBI's could definitely be up, but with Joe Maddon batting him in the 2 hole in the lineup lately his main goal is to get on.
There's nothing to be taken away from either Daniel Murphy's year or Anthony Rizzo's, but as of right now, Kris Bryant appears to be the top NL MVP candidate. After just winning Rookie Of The Year, he will look to do what only a few players in MLB history have done and that is to win MVP in their sophomore year.
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