Explaining my AL MVP ballot: Why I had Betts first, Britton ninth
Photo credit: Joy R. Absalon
5. Manny Machado, 3B, Baltimore Orioles
I have the pleasure of watching this kid play on a daily basis. What he does defensively at third base while being one of the best power hitters in the AL at age 24 is nothing short of remarkable.
He’s not higher on this list, though, because his second-half didn’t match up to the lofty standards he has set for himself (.266/.306/.492). He was good enough to get my vote for Most Valuable Oriole, but he was a step behind the elite for league MVP.
I put him ahead of Donaldson, because Machado’s a better defender at third, and he also had to start 43 games at shortstop this year, and handled that transition solidly.
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