2011 MLB MVP Award: Ranking AL and NL Contenders' Chances to Win the Awards

With the St. Louis Cardinals already crowned as World Champions and the Rookies of the Year settled, the speculation surrounding who will take home American and National League Most Valuable Player honors is reaching its peak.

A number of players had phenomenal seasons and have made strong cases for consideration, but it's ultimately up to the voters to decide who will hoist the hardware.

As we await the final decisions, here are some of the front-runners for the league's highest individual honor.

4. Justin Verlander

Fresh off his unanimous selection as the 2011 AL Cy Young award winner, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander would love nothing more than to take home another piece of hardware.

Leading the league in wins and strikeouts with 24 and 250 respectively, you'd have to think he'll get more consideration for MVP than any pitchers have recently, but given the nature of the award, handing it out to a pitcher seems unlikely.

T-2. Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson's name has been thrown out there as one of the front-runners for AL MVP throughout much of the season.

It's hard to argue with his 41 home runs, and his 119 RBI and 136 runs scored led the league.

Having more strikeouts than hits is a bit of a blemish and his .262 batting average is less than stellar, although many out there believe that batting average is an overrated statistic.

It just depends on if the voters see it that way.

T-2. Jose Bautista

Jose Bautista is certainly one of the most feared hitters in the league, and rightfully so.

He was tops in the league with 43 home runs and an OPS of 1.056 and was second with a .447 OBP.

Being on a .500 team that finishes fourth in their division could sway some votes away from Jose Bautista, but it's hard to argue his value to the Blue Jays when you think about where they would've been without him.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

Considering the amount of attention that players like Granderson and Bautista have gotten in MVP conversations, you could say Jacoby Ellsbury has flown somewhat under the radar.

His statistics across the board have spoken volumes as to why he should receive serious consideration.

With a .321 batting average, .376 OBP, .552 slugging percentage and .928 OPS it's easy to see how he was able to rack up 212 hits, 32 home runs, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases.

4. Justin Upton

2011 was a breakout season of sorts for Justin Upton as he achieved career highs in runs (105), hits (171), home runs (31) and OBP (.369).

He was an important part of the Arizona Diamondbacks' run towards their first postseason appearance since 2007 and would also make his second All-Star appearance.

3. Albert Pujols

Having either won or finished second in the NL MVP voting in seven of the past nine seasons, it's no surprise to see Albert Pujols in contention once again.

2011 was a down year in comparison to past seasons, as his numbers across the board were their lowest since 2008.

But at any rate, a .299 average with 37 home runs, 99 RBI and an OPS approaching 1.000 will put him somewhere in the conversation.

2. Ryan Braun

In the midst of the constant conversations surrounding whether or not Prince Fielder would sign a long-term contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, Ryan Braun had himself one heck of a season.

With a career high .332 batting average and league-leading slugging percentage and OPS (.597 and .994), Braun has to be in the conversation for MVP honors.

1. Matt Kemp

With all the negativity surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership this season, Matt Kemp provided a glimpse of what will be the future of the franchise.

A newly signed eight-year, $160 million deal was Kemp's reward for his emergence in this league, highlighted by a 39-home-run, 126-RBI campaign in 2011.

But that contract won't be the only highlight of Kemp's offseason as he may very well take home his first MVP trophy.