American League Prime Nine: MVP Update

1 of 12

The hunt for October is coming ever closer. With each day, it's becoming more clear who is making a move in the MVP race and who is fading out of the race. Division leaders keep changing and these players are responsible for playoff pushes.

Here's the weekly update on the top nine Most Valuable Player candidates in the American League.

9. Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)

Last week: N/A

The Twins are back in first place and a lot of it is thanks to Joe Mauer. We are finally seeing the Mauer of last year again, and if Morneau comes back, the Twins could have this division locked.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .327 (5th)
HR: 7
RBI: 62
OPS: .887 (10th)

8. Vladimir Guerrero (Texas Rangers)

Last week: 5

Vladdy slides down this week while he struggled this past week, failing to get a single RBI and only batting .111. However, his value to the Rangers over the entire year has been apparent.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .296 (18th)
HR: 21 (11th)
RBI: 86 (4th)
OPS: .842 (18th)

7. Jose Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays)

Last week: 8

Jose Bautista continues to move up, despite being on a non-playoff contending team. While he continues to crank out home runs and RBI, his batting average is too low.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .258
HR: 36 (1st)
RBI: 88 (3rd)
OPS: .971 (4th)

6. Delmon Young (Minnesota Twins)

Last week: 3

Young also had a week to forget, but with an offense like the Twins have, it didn't matter. While Mauer was slumping, Young carried the team on his shoulders and now they're in first place.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .319 (6th)
HR: 14
RBI: 84 (6th)
OPS: .868 (12th)

5. Paul Konerko (Chicago White Sox)

Last week: 6

Another week to forger for an MVP candidate, Konerko will need to step it up in big situations if the White Sox are going to have any chance in the race against the Twins.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .302 (14th)
HR: 28 (2nd)
RBI: 78 (8th)
OPS: .949 (5th)

4. Adrian Beltre (Boston Red Sox)

Last week: 7

I seriously didn't think Beltre would be on a list of serious MVP candidates this late in the year, but he keeps producing. With Youkilis out, he's going to have to step it up for the pennant race.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .331 (3rd)
HR: 21 (11th)
RBI: 79 (7th)
OPS: .937 (7th)

3. Robinson Cano (New York Yankees)

Last week: 4

Cano continues to be a hitting machine and a key cog in why the Yankees are primed to repeat as world champions. Not to mention that his fielding has greatly improved.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .327 (4th)
HR: 21 (11th)
RBI: 72 (13th)
OPS: .946 (6th)

2. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers)

Last week: 1

The Tigers keep fading and Miguel Cabrera isn't helping. Over the past ten games, he's been without a home run or an RBI. It's a shame though, because his numbers are still very good.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .339 (2nd)
HR: 26 (3rd)
RBI: 93 (1st)
OPS: 1.057 (1st)

1. Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)

Last week: 2

I'm one of the very few not-a-fans of Josh of Hamilton, but I got to respect his body of work this year. He continues to put up big numbers and has the Rangers virtually guaranteed a postseason spot.

Stat (AL Rank)
BA: .357 (1st)
HR: 24 (6th)
RBI: 78 (8th)
OPS: 1.027 (2nd)