Derek Jeter MVP Resume: Can the New York Yankees Shortstop Keep It Going?

Derek Jeter has stepped into a pinstriped time machine and killed expectations as a 37-year-old so far in 2012.

Jeter is an early AL MVP candidate and batting like he's playing for Murderers' Row. The captain has had staggering numbers to begin the season and he will keep his pace going.

If there's one man you don't want to bet against in baseball, it's Jeter. He's on a mission to prove the critics wrong and ultimately win an AL MVP in 2012.  

April

Derek Jeter is off to an unreal start of the 2012 season, having an April to remember. 

Last month, Jeter had a slash line of .389/.433/.579. He also added a staggering 1.012 OPS to supplement to his stat sheet for the first month. 

Last year, Jeter did not have such a great April. His slash line in April of last year was an abysmal .256/.313/.278. Jeter's past two Aprils have been polar opposites.

Consistency was a thing of brilliance for Jeter in April as he averaged 1.68 hits per game in 22 games played.  

Post All-Star Break 2011

Pre All-Star game compared to post, Jeter was a completely different player. 

Jeter's first half of the season was full of drama. After off-season negotiations, Jeter was trying to prove himself. He then had to deal with injuries and was chasing 3,000 hits. 

After the All-Star game, the real Jeter came out to play. He hit .327 in the second half compared to .270 in the first. 

Jeter's style of play and confidence from his 2011 second half has clearly overlapped to his 2012 play, and he will continue to roll. 

Power

Where did Jeter's sudden power surge come from? 

Jeter's power is a real mystery, but it's great for Jeter and the Yankees. As a player that has averaged 15 home runs per season, it has been very surprising to see Jeter already hit five home runs. 

Power usually plays a factor into the MVP winner. It is very rare for a player to hit a low amount of home runs and still win the MVP. 

If Jeter plays all 162 games this season, he is on pace to hit about 28 home runs. That would be a career high and huge boon to his AL MVP hopes. 

Yankees' Lineup

The New York Yankees certainly aren't called the Bronx Bombers for nothing. 

Jeter has the luxury of leading off for a potent offense. Having great support will only help his numbers. 

With the star power of the Yankees' lineup, Jeter will always have someone to knock in or someone to knock him in. 

The Yankees potentially have an All-Star at every position and this can only help Jeter's offensive production. 

The Captain

Too many voters forget that MVP stands for, "Most Valuable Player."

Jeter is the captain of the Yankees for a reason. He's a winner and a leader on and off the field.

The Yankees will need their captain more than ever this year. The Yankees already lost Mariano Rivera and the AL East is great once again.

Jeter will lead the Yankees to the playoffs and, if his production continues, he has a great chance at winning the AL MVP.