Why Josh Hamilton Will Win the AL MVP Award This Season

If Josh Hamilton keeps up his torrid pace in 2012, he is a lock for American League MVP. Yes, I know that’s just me being Captain Obvious. 

But, there are some doubts about whether the superstar outfielder can continue mashing the ball and win the first Triple Crown since 1967.

A month and a half into the season, Hamilton leads the AL in pretty much every meaningful offensive category: .402 AVG, 18 HR, 45 RBI, .457 OPB, .848 SLG and 1.305 OPS. Not to mention his stellar play in the outfield, which often goes unnoticed thanks to his incredible numbers at the plate.  

The season is young and there is still time for Hamilton's numbers to tail off significantly. Then again, it’s tough to gauge how he will perform because Josh has not been able to put together a full season for the last few years.

That brings us to a very popular topic regarding Hamilton: his history of injury. This is an issue that will probably follow him the rest of his career.

The injuries he has suffered are interesting to look at. He is not a player who has chronic knee, hamstring or arm problems. Hamilton’s injuries are mostly a result from his style of play, such as crashing into a wall or diving head first into home plate.

It’s hard to tell him to stop playing the game like that because it’s the only way he knows how.

Critics can say that he will eventually cool off and fade in the second half of the season, threatening his Triple Crown bid. But once again, they can’t really know for sure. 

Hamilton was having a very strong second half in 2010 (.384 with 10 homers and 36 RBI in 177 at bats) before broken ribs sidelined him. He also played very well post All-Star break in 2011 despite having to work on his timing at the plate due to missing over a month with a broken arm.

So, I think this evidence works both for and against Hamilton. He has not been a player who traditionally sees a large dip in production the second half, but the injury bug is definitely something that can’t be overlooked.

Hamilton’s unbelievable start has people thinking big, but the possibilities of what he can accomplish this season are usually followed by the phrase, “If he stays healthy.” 

However, in the end the MVP award is not strictly based on historic feats and out-of-this-world numbers. Should Hamilton not win the Triple Crown or break any single season records, he is still one of the biggest difference makers in baseball.

The Rangers are a different team when he is in the lineup. He is a run-saver for pitchers because he makes diving catches in the outfield and throws runners out who are attempting to take the extra bag. 

His presence in the lineup also makes other hitters on the team better. Elvis Andrus is having a career year, give him credit. But, there is a good chance that he does not see so many good pitches to hit if opposing pitchers weren’t so afraid of walking him and pitching to Hamilton right after with runners on base.

Guys like Adrian Beltre, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz can enjoy a few more RBIs when Hamilton is on base. Blessed with a large frame and great speed, Hamilton can score from first on a double and has also been known to score from second on an infield hit.

An MVP award in 2012 would be Hamilton’s second, and he is likely to be named to his fifth All-Star team in as many seasons in Texas. This goes along with two Silver Slugger Awards, an AL batting championship and an ALCS MVP.

All he needs now is a new contract.