Colorado Rockies: 2018 National League MVP Nolan Arenado

Imagine this: The voting has ended and it’s a landslide victory. Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies has just been named the 2018 National League MVP. In my opinion, this should have happened last year. For days after it once announced who won, I pondered how in the world did Nolan Arenado not win MVP? Well, being that I write for Rox Pile, I decided to investigate.

I was baffled that Nolan Arenado had been snuffed out as MVP. He was 4th in the running. How? I have no clue. It actually just seemed like a practical joke in my opinion. They looked over a man who is a 3x All-Star, 5x Gold Glove, and 3x Silver Slugger. Did I mention he won the platinum glove as well? 2017 was an incredible year for Arenado as well hitting 37 home runs, 133 RBIs, and a batting average of .307, I still ask, how? Well now, the past is the past and the future is looking very bright for Arenado.

2018 will be the year this man finally gets an award he’s probably should’ve been considered for the past 3 seasons. His projections are on average to the same stats he’s been having the past few years. Don’t even get me started with how amazing he is defensively, but there are a few red flags that pop up as to why he hasn’t gotten the coveted award.

The Larry Walker Complex

As many of you may know, Larry Walker didn’t get into the Hall of Fame this year, but he should’ve. Why didn’t he you may ask? Walker believes that Coors Field is the equivalent to the PED issue for him. Just because of that, it makes me wonder if that’s why Arenado hasn’t won the MVP. He’s played at Coors his entire career, but that hasn’t stopped him from winning his gold gloves or silver sluggers. This makes me believe that this complex might be only a minuscule factor. So what does that leave?

More from Rox Pile

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: What if Todd Helton had played football instead?
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: Has Sean Bouchard earned a second look in 2023?

Comparing Arenado to Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton was named the 2017 NL MVP. Let’s take a look at Stanton and then we’ll compare. Stanton, a 28 year-old right fielder, had an incredible 2017 season.

Stanton as many of you know hit 59 home runs (yes, you read right). That lead to 132 RBI and a batting average of .281. He was named an All-Star this year and of course participated in the Home Run Derby. His WAR was pretty good at 7.6.

It’s hard to compare them, defensively, as Arenado is a third baseman and Stanton an outfielder. The inner Rockies fan wants to just go ahead and say it’s Arenado though.

Takeaways

As Nolan Arenado prepares for the 2018 season, we know it’s not really the accolades that are his mind, but the chance to prove that the Rockies are the top team. Then, after that, comes the accolades.

It may be coincidental, but since Stanton is now with the Yankees, an AL team, it might open up a door that could get him the MVP award.

Next: Pat Valaika is the underdog the Rockies need

Now let’s not forget that Arenado still has competition from Paul Goldschmidt and Joey Votto. I’d say the competition isn’t too tough and there is a strong chance that Nolan Arenado will be the 2018 NL MVP if he does what he”s done in the past.