![The MLB MVP award is similar to the one shown above. [image source: Thomson200- Wikimedia Commons]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/11/9/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-mlb-mvp-award-is-similar-to-the-one-shown-above-image-source-thomson200-wikimedia-commons_2140365.jpg "The MLB MVP award is similar to the one shown above. [image source: Thomson200- Wikimedia Commons]")
Two years after he got snubbed of the award, Mookie Betts is a finalist to win the American League MVP along with two Cleveland Indians players in Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. All three played vital parts in the success their teams had this season. Here is why each player should win the prestigious award.
Mookie Betts
Betts had an outstanding season and he was a huge part in why the Boston Red Sox won the World Series. Betts posted career-highs in all slash line categories with a slash line of .346/.438/.640 while batting leadoff for the World Series winning Red Sox.
He also posted career-highs in runs (129), doubles (47), home runs (32), walks (81) and stolen bases (30). Betts led the major leagues in batting average with the runner-up scoring 16 points lower than him, tied the AL in runs scored with MVP nominee Francisco Lindor and tied for the second most doubles in the American League
Of all American League MVP candidates, Betts had the highest numbers in all slash line categories and hit the most doubles and triples of the three.
Francisco Lindor
Like Betts, Lindor was the primary leadoff hitter and played a big part in getting the Indians to 91 wins and winning the AL Central. Lindor had a career year as he got the most hits he's ever gotten in one season with 183 hits.
He also hit a career-high 38 home runs, five more than his previous career-high and brought in a career-high 92 runs. He also walked 70 times this year which is the most times he's walked in a season. Lindor tied for the most runs scored in the American League with American League MVP nominee Mookie Betts.
Among the three AL MVP nominees, Lindor tied for the most in runs scored with Betts and got the most hits between the three of them.
Jose Ramirez
Ramirez went from being signed at the age of 17 for $50 000, to non-prospect, to major league bench player, to major league utility player, to major league starter, to major league all-star and then to MVP candidate. What a story it is for Ramirez. Batting in the heart of the Indians lineup in the three spot, Ramirez got a career-high 105 RBIs.
He also posted career-high numbers in other categories like runs (110), home runs (39), walks (106) and stolen bases (34). He had the third most stolen bases in the American League as well as the second most walks in the AL.
Between Ramirez, Betts and Lindor, Ramirez had the most home runs, the most RBI by 13, walked 25 more times than Betts did and had the most stolen bases of the three.
The AL MVP winner will be announced on November 15 at 6 PM ET.
