Predicting the Next 10 Major Sports MVPs
Predicting the next 10 MVPs across all of sports? Someone bookmark this article and prepare a roasting session, please.
Though naming MVPs can be an act in futility—hence, Jamie Vardy being named Premier League Player of the Season in 2016—it's important we broach the subject. MVPs are few and far between. Each body of sports names one winner who thrives amongst a competitive field of do-gooders.
Using a massive scope to touch all aspects of sports, the focus was on stats, resumes and, of course, opportunity. All of that being said, let's predict the next 10 MVPs in sports.
MLB American League: Mike Trout
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The American League side of the MVP race is shaping up nicely, with Josh Donaldson, Xander Bogaerts and Jose Altuve all in good positions to nab the award.
All of those names would make for solid choices had it not been for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.
It's been a typical Trout season, as he's belted 19 home runs and driven in 62 RBI while batting .319. He's also leading in the WAR category—wins above replacement—registering a 5.93 rating, per ESPN.com.
Keeping Trout in line for this year's MVP boils down to superior production. "Both men have played in 85 games, starting 84 of them. Donaldson has come to the plate 386 times to Trout’s 369 and has hit with 417 men on base to Trout’s 341. Adjust for that context, and you find that Trout, not Donaldson, has been the better hitter this season," Cliff Corcoran of Sports Illustrated explained.
As the season winds down, it will be interesting to see if Trout keeps things going. If history is any indication, he should be well-positioned to dethrone Donaldson as the AL's top dog.
NBA: LeBron James
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Stephen Curry's reign as back-to-back NBA MVP could come to an end next season. Things have shifted with Kevin Durant's arrival in the Golden State, which may reshape the individual statistical platform of the Warriors—not enough shots to go around.
Enter LeBron James. What James did in order to give the Cleveland Cavaliers their first NBA title was profane. During the 2016 NBA Finals, the King averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
He laid everything on the line, and the Cavs were rewarded with an unforgettable season. It's logical to think James will continue his feverish play and win an MVP award for his efforts.
The complete, full scope of James' abilities—combined with Durant's Golden State journey—could even out Curry's and Klay Thompson's productions. That puts the King in a great position to reclaim his throne.
College Football Heisman Trophy: Deshaun Watson
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College football's Heisman Trophy has to be the classiest way to receive an MVP award. Set in the heart of New York City, the prestigious ceremony honors students who performed admirably for an entire season.
Looking at the crop of would-be winners for the upcoming season, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson stands out as the favorite.
With no disrespect given to the running back trio of LSU's Leonard Fournette, Florida State's Dalvin Cook and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey, Watson already has captured the nation's eyes.
Coming up short against Alabama in last year's College Football Playoff, Clemson should be considered a favorite to return to the big dance. All you have to do is look at its schedule and projections, per ESPN.com's Football Power Index, to see an 11-1 season, possibly 12-0, if things go well. In order for that to become a reality, Watson will have to thrive.
Watson's biggest indicator of a Heisman push will be the return of wide receiver Artavis Scott and halfback Wayne Gallman to Clemson. In effect, the combination Scott and Gallman—among other standouts—should generate enough offensive opportunities to capture that beautiful Heisman Trophy.
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MLB National League: Clayton Kershaw
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The National League sits in a strange position this season. Unlike its counterpart, the American League, the NL's side of things isn't shaping up to be a hitter's race. Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw appears to be in the driver's seat for his second MVP award.
The craziest part is Kershaw has been on the disabled list since June 30, per MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. But it's been sheer dominance that has driven him to the top of this MVP predictor list.
Kershaw is currently 11-2, with a 1.79 ERA and 145 strikeouts. His WAR is also staggering, sitting at 4.73—the second-best pitcher is Washington Nationals standout Stephen Strasburg with a 4.12 mark.
You could make a case for Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant winning the hardware if Kershaw doesn't return to form after emerging from the DL—Bryant is hitting .282 with 25 home runs and 65 RBI.
Still, assuming he continues to take control of the mound, Kershaw seems like a logical MVP pick for the National League.
FIFA Ballon d'Or: Cristiano Ronaldo
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FIFA's Ballon d'Or ceremony is closing in, and with each passing day Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is looking more and more like the eventual winner.
It might be cheating considering how widespread the support for Ronaldo is—just ask rival Neymar, per Anthony Hay of MailOnline—but it's not unwarranted.
Ronaldo has enjoyed quite the year. His La Liga club, Real Madrid, won the UEFA Champions League and Portugal, Ronaldo's home country, walked away as European champions of 2016.
Ronaldo was present for it all, finishing his La Liga campaign with 35 goals—second behind Barcelona's Luis Suarez, per Fox Sports. His scoring was timely and consistent, driving Madrid across the Champions League.
FIFA's Ballon d'Or celebrates the best player in the world. This past season, that man has been Ronaldo.
NFL: Ben Roethlisberger
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The National Football League's 2016 season is closer than you think. With the regular season opening up shop on September 8, when the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos meet in a Super Bowl 50 rematch, fans are getting the itch.
Picking out an MVP this season is tricky business. Cam Newton has a realistic chance to repeat thanks to his dual-threat stature and the fact the Panthers are lethal with him on the field. On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers could very well drive the Green Bay Packers deep into the postseason.
However, the man we've picked to win the coveted award is Pittsburgh Steelers lead man Ben Roethlisberger.
Big Ben dressed for only 12 regular-season games last year. He still managed to throw for 3,938 yards and 21 touchdowns. The main reason he's an MVP candidate is the fact Roethlisberger remains the leader of a dynamic offense that boasts talents such as Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and tight end Ladarius Green.
When healthy, it's hard to imagine he won't set the NFL on fire in 2016, as Pro Football Focus also detailed. At age 34, Roethlisberger is in a great position to get his hands on the regular-season MVP trophy.
The sky is the limit for him and the offensive juggernaut that is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
College Basketball John R. Wooden Award: Josh Hart
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Naming a winner for the John R. Wooden Award is a challenge mainly due to the field of participants being so vast.
In an ocean full of jump-shooting fish, Villanova's Josh Hart remains a shark. His staggering play helped Villanova capture a national title last season, and his recent decision to stay put—bailing on the prospects of the NBA Draft—gives him the firepower needed to once again carry his team deep into the postseason dance.
Painting his name across the John R. Wooden Award makes sense because he's seen it all before. Hart is seasoned, savvy and his average of 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds last season proves he's constantly improving.
Those are all good signs when projecting college basketball's next MVP.
WWE Superstar of the Year: AJ Styles
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There can be only one Superstar of the Year in WWE, and the 2016 edition clearly belongs to AJ Styles.
From the moment he entered the 2016 Royal Rumble in January, Styles has taken over World Wrestling Entertainment. His robust skill set has transformed him from a TNA and independent star to a prolific, top-tier piece of talent.
Recent feuds with Roman Reigns and Chris Jericho produced incredible matches. And his latest battle with John Cena has shown his worth to the company.
You could create conversation around Reigns winning the award or even current WWE champion Dean Ambrose. But neither of the two has been on the same page as Styles.
He's the best worker in the company, and being a "non-WWE" guy makes his run to the top that much sweeter.
NHL: Jamie Benn
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Dallas Stars left winger Jamie Benn has been knocking on the door of receiving the Hart Memorial Trophy for three seasons and counting now.
Had it not been for Patrick Kane's explosion of statistical bravado, Benn might have been polishing his award right now—he finished second in total points and third in goals scored.
The 2016-17 season is his chance to right those wrongs and capture the Hart Memorial Trophy. Fresh off an eight-year, $76 million extension, per Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy, Benn now has the financial backing he needs to be deemed a superstar.
With the offense firmly under his control, the Stars need Benn to exceed his previous year's totals and earn every penny of his $76 million deal. Based on everything we've seen so far, he has enough talent to achieve that feat.
Premier League Player of the Season: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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Who would have thought at this time last year Leicester City's Jamie Vardy would be named Premier League Player of the Season?
Unexpected circumstances—like Leicester City's improbable run to the top—tend to create chaos when picking out an MVP. But it's time to go out on a limb here and push all of our chips to the forefront.
The pick for the 2016-17 Premier League Player of the Season is newly signed Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic might be 34 years of age, but that hasn't slowed him down. Last season with Paris Saint- Germain he notched 38 goals, per Ligue 1's official website.
Combine his power with the fact United manager Jose Mourinho will put him in a position to succeed makes the longtime Swedish striker a sound pick for MVP honors.
All stats, box scores and information via Sports-Reference.com, unless noted otherwise.
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