Delmon Young, Carlos Gonzalez and 10 MLB MVPs No One is Talking About

With the 2010 Major League Baseball season nearing the final six weeks of action, it’s time to take a quick glance at 10 worthy Most Valuable Player candidates that no one is talking about.

And from Delmon Young, to Carlos Gonzales, to a handful of other overlooked stars in the majors this season, we’re going to be counting down the 10 MLB MVPs no one is talking about.

As a side note, let me mention that for “fairness reasons,” I have decided to include five players from the National League and five from the American League, breaking it down by a majority of overlooked batters and one or two under-the-radar pitchers that deserve mention in the MVP category.

So, without further ado, let’s begin…

10. Jim Thome, Minnesota Twins

Jim Thome has a .268 batting average this season, along with 17 home runs, 15 doubles, and 44 runs batted in.

In addition, the 39-year-old designated hitter has 60 hits and a pair of triples in 2010 for the Minnesota Twins.

Maybe not quite MVP worthy numbers, but he’s still been a major factor in the success of the Twins this year.

9. John Danks, Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks has a 3.31 ERA in 2010, along with an overall record of 12-8 through 25 games started.

Danks has also given up just 11 home runs while walking 52 this season.

In addition, the southpaw starter has 130 strikeouts and counting this year for the White Sox.

8. Luke Scott, Baltimore Orioles

Luke Scott, a former Houston Astros top prospect turned Baltimore Orioles designated hitter/utility player, is batting .291 this season.

Scott, who has spent a majority of the year in the DH position, also has 25 home runs, 25 doubles, one triple, and 59 runs batted in.

He also has 104 hits with 35 walks with the Orioles in 2010, and Scott has high hopes of continuing to make some major noise in the majors. 

7. Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, batting .300 in 2010 through 118 games and 494 plate-appearances.

In addition, Zimmerman has racked up 27 doubles, 24 home runs, and 71 runs batted in this season for the Nationals.

He has also drawn 61 walks while tallying 128 hits this year for Washington.

6. Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland Indians

Shin-Soo Choo, a 27-year-old right fielder for the Cleveland Indians, has a .296 batting average this season along with 58 walks and 15 stolen bases.

Choo, with 488 plate appearances through 109 games, also has 24 doubles, 15 home runs, two triples, and 60 runs batted in.

In addition, he has 125 hits with a .389 on-base-percentage.

5. Casey McGehee, Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Casey McGehee is batting .289 in 2010 with 514 plate appearances (121 games) under his belt.

McGehee also has 30 doubles, 20 home runs, and a triple as a 27-year-old budding star in the majors.

In addition, McGehee has 84 runs batted in and 134 hits this season with Milwaukee.

4. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds

Johnny Cueto, a right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, boasts an 11-4 overall record with a 3.62 ERA in 2010 (through 24 games started).

He also has 104 strikeouts (144.1 innings pitched) while surrendering 16 homers and 47 walks this season.

Through 144.1 innings pitched for Cincinnati, he has allowed 139 hits and 58 earned runs.

3. Mat Latos, San Diego Padres

Right-handed starting pitcher Mat Latos, with a sparkling 2.33 ERA, is 13-5 overall (through 23 starts) this season for the San Diego Padres.

Latos, a mere 22 years of age, has walked 40 while giving up 13 long balls in 2010 with San Diego.

He also has 144 strikeouts (through 142.2 innings pitched) and counting as the Padres aim for postseason play.

2. Delmon Young, Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins outfielder Delmon Young, the up-and-coming 24-year-old MLB star in the waiting, is batting .308 this season with 88 runs batted in.

In addition, Young has 36 doubles, 15 home runs, and a triple, along with four stolen bases and 19 walks.

Young has also appeared in 119 games this year for Minnesota, racking up 135 hits with a .338 on-base-percentage.

1. Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies

Can you really ask for a more under-the-radar MLB player in 2010 than Carlos Gonzalez, the 24-year-old outfielder for the Colorado Rockies?

This season alone, Gonzalez has a phenomenal .320 batting average (through 112 games and 492 plate appearances) with 84 runs batted in.

In addition, he has 26 home runs, 24 doubles, six triples, and 147 hits overall this year with Colorado.

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Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]