2011 MLB MVP Award: Identifying the Top 25 Future MVPs of Baseball

Yesterday, in what surely stunned some hardcore baseball fans, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun won the NL MVP Award over Los Angeles Dodgers star Matt Kemp. Both players had very similar seasons, but it's almost definite that Braun's team making the playoffs gave him the slight edge.

That being said, those who were hoping Kemp would emerge victorious should remain optimistic. The man just inked an eight-year, $160 million extension with the team on which he is the alpha dog, so another great season could put him right back in the running for another shot at that MVP trophy.

However, as is the case with any MVP race, it won't be easy. Given the young talent that exists in the NL, Kemp will surely have some competition.

That being said, let's take a look at both leagues and count down the top 25 future MVPs.

No. 25: Brandon Allen, Oakland Athletics

After spending the previous two-and-a-half seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, with a few stops on the major league level, Brandon Allen was traded to Oakland at last year's trade deadline for relief pitcher Brad Ziegler.

He was immediately inserted into the starting lineup, and in 41 games he didn't do much. He hit .205 with three home runs and 11 RBI.

Yet it should be noted that Allen will be 26 next year and still could be an impact player in Oakland. Despite his low average, the power-hitting first baseman is extremely patient at the plate and perfect for the team's Moneyball approach. In eight minor league seasons, the man posted a .268 career batting average to go with a remarkable .355 OBP.

Allen's power will provide some much-needed pop in a young Oakland lineup, and if the pitching holds up, he could find himself leading the way on a march to the playoffs.

No. 24: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

The reason the Diamondbacks traded Brandon Allen was so they could promote their other first base prospect, Paul Goldschmidt.

The two are essentially the same type of player—power-hitting first basemen—but Goldschmidt is slightly better at hitting for average. In 103 games at Double-A Mobile last season, he hit .306 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI.

At the major league level, Goldschmidt appeared in 48 games and hit .250 with eight homers and 26 RBI. Though the strikeouts were a bit high, he still looked good at the plate. His 6'3", 245-pound frame will intimidate opposing pitchers for years to come.

Seeing as how the Diamondbacks are ready to contend again next year, don't be surprised if Goldschmidt breaks out and wipes the floor with the competition.

No. 23: Anthony Rizzo, San Diego Padres

The main piece of the Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox trade, Anthony Rizzo appeared in 49 games for the Padres last year, and I'll be honest: He wasn't impressive at all. The 6'3", 220-pound first baseman hit .141 with a home run and nine RBI in 49 games, unacceptable given his hype.

Thus, he was sent back down to the minors and ran the table at Triple-A Tucson. In 103 games there, Rizzo hit .331 with 26 homers and 101 RBI, not to mention carrying a .404 OBP.

The Padres are still a young team that probably won't contend heavily for another couple of years, but keep an eye on Rizzo when that time comes. Team management sees him as the first baseman of the future, and if he lives up to the hype, he'll make fans still mourning the trading of Gonzalez say, "Adrian who?"

More importantly, he'll make a run at that MVP trophy.

No. 22: Logan Morrison, Miami Marlins

It's no secret that at this point Logan Morrison is the most popular player on the Marlins. His loud personality and entertaining Twitter feed have captured the hearts of fans, and he continues to display it, no matter what team management may think.

He's still young at 24 and needs some work in the batting average department, as he hit only .247 last year. Still, the man also hit 23 home runs and had 74 RBI. Now that the Marlins seem committed to winning (finally), I'm expecting him to be the leader of the pack in the lineup.

That being said, watch as Morrison hits .275 or better next year and is completely focused. If the Marlins do well, he could find himself in the MVP race.

No. 21: Jesus Montero, New York Yankees

Jesus Montero's future MVP candidacy depends on one decision: Will the New York Yankees turn him into a catcher or just let him DH down the road?

Given how David Ortiz has been the best hitter in baseball a few times and has never taken home the award, the only way that Montero wins MVP is if he improves his durability and becomes a catcher.

As a September call-up last season, Montero lived up to the hype and more. He only appeared in 18 games but hit .328 with four home runs and 12 RBI. On top of that, his plate discipline wasn't bad either, as he posted an OBP of .406.

If he can continue to post those types of numbers as a full-time player—of course, with more homers and RBI—then Montero is definitely a future MVP candidate. Like I said before, it all depends on what position he's playing.

No. 20: Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds

Prior to his being called up in 2008, Jay Bruce was the top hitting prospect in the Reds organization. He could hit for average and had good power; thus, the front office saw him as the key to the team becoming a contender again.

The power has followed Bruce to the majors, but the average has been, well, average. In four seasons, he has only posted a .256 lifetime average despite hitting 100 home runs. Yet he will only be 25 at the start of next season, so he still has time to improve.

That being said, what with the Reds looking better going into next year thanks to the emergence of outfielder Yonder Alonso, I'm anticipating Bruce will do better and swing more to get on base rather than to smack the ball out of the yard. In doing so, his average will improve, and so could his power output.

Once the Reds find themselves back in the playoff hunt, don't be shocked to see his name come up in MVP discussions.

No. 19: Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves

Considering how he had something of a sophomore slump following a season in which he was named NL Rookie of the Year, some of you may think me crazy for thinking of Jason Heyward as a future MVP.

Well, regardless of if I'm nuts or not, mark my words: Jason Heyward is going to have a great 2012 and will have many more great seasons after that.

Even though he was off his game last year, hitting just .227 with 14 homers and 42 RBI in 128 games (down from .277, 18 home runs and 72 RBI in 2010), it should be noted that Heyward was playing hurt for most of last season, as he had a hamstring injury that just wouldn't go away.

He'll show up to spring training in better shape and ready to contribute as his Atlanta Braves look to get back to the postseason after their epic collapse last season. If he stays focused for the next few years and for all of his career, just watch as he contends for an MVP at some point.

No. 18: Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants

In what was hoped to be an epic rookie year, Brandon Belt did not live up to expectations in 2011. In 63 games, the speedy, power-hitting first baseman hit just .225 with nine home runs and 18 RBI. Keep in mind, this is a guy who hit .352 with 23 homers, 112 RBI and 22 steals over three minor league levels in 2010.

That being said, I'm anticipating that Belt will do better in 2012. He'll need to impress in spring training so that he can wrestle the starting first baseman's job away from Aubrey Huff, but he knows major league pitching better now. He knows what to expect.

Thus, if he can adjust to the MLB level, watch for Belt to have multiple MVP-caliber seasons.

No. 17: Mike Stanton, Miami Marlins

Much like his teammate Logan Morrison, Mike Stanton has a bright future. On the new Miami Marlins, while Morrison will be the one who works to get on base, Stanton will be a man with two missions: launch mammoth home runs when up at bat and use his rocket arm to throw out baserunners when in the field.

In just two years in the majors, in just 250 career games, the 22-year-old Stanton has already launched 56 career home runs. His batting average usually hovers around .260, so there could be some work to be done there.

Still, if the Marlins contend and Stanton keeps doing what he's doing, he could find himself in line for an MVP trophy sooner rather than later.

No. 16: Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles

Considering how he hit .343 with 32 home runs and 121 RBI in one-and-a-half minor league seasons, some may be quick to call Matt Wieters a bust. On the major league level, in two-and-a-half seasons, he has hit just .265 with 42 home runs and 166 RBI.

The seeming decline (for lack of better word) in production comes down to one factor: The Orioles promoted him too soon, and thus, he has a longer adjustment period. Still, don't write Wieters off just yet. He's a switch-hitting catcher with a rocket arm, a rare asset in today's player market.

That being said, with the Orioles rebuilding and possibly contending soon, don't be surprised if Wieters breaks out next year. The 25-year-old is like Joe Mauer, but a switch-hitter, not to mention more durable.  If he can turn on the afterburners and use that pretty swing of his to change games, then there could soon be cause for celebration in Baltimore.

No. 15: Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals

Like Wieters, third baseman Mike Moustakas' major league career could get off to a slow start due to him being called up too soon. Here's a guy who hit .322 with 36 home runs and 124 RBI at Triple-A Omaha in 2010, and the Royals called him up two months into last season.

Sure enough, Moustakas got off to a slow start. He got his first career RBI in his second career game, thanks to a solo shot that was his first career home run, but then went three weeks before getting another RBI. Still, he managed to finish the year with a .265 average, five home runs and 30 RBI in 89 games.

That being said, seeing as the Royals have tons of young and talented prospects ready to contribute, I'm anticipating that Moustakas will be the man with the iron bat down the stretch. He'll improve his average while also smacking home runs left and right. Once the Royals are in the playoff fight, he'll find himself contending for an MVP award.

No. 14: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

When it comes to Angels outfield prospect Mike Trout, I can only think of one word: scrappy. This guy just won't quit at the plate, and for proof of that, we have some stats from the minors.

In 2010, spent at Low-A and High-A ball, Trout hit .341 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI, but the most impressive stat is his 56 steals. He played 91 games at Double-A in 2011 and hit .326 there while stealing 33 bases.

Sure enough, he was called up to the majors and struggled to adjust, hitting just .220 with four steals in 40 games. Still, you have to admit that his numbers in the minors remind one of Ichiro, what with the high batting average and high steal count.

If Trout can fully adjust to the major leagues, I'm anticipating that he'll fit right into manager Mike Scioscia's free-swinging and aggressive system. He has the ability to hit over .300 and is speedy, so he could be in for one hell of a season should the Angels go on a run reminiscent of the 2001 Seattle Mariners.

No. 13: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

As a rookie in 2010, Buster Posey was instrumental in leading the Giants to a World Series championship. During the regular season, he hit .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBI in just 108 games. In the playoffs, he hit .288 with a home run and five RBI.

He was on his way to having another solid year in 2011, but that was snuffed out when a collision at home plate left him with a broken leg and torn ligaments. That being said, the tough Posey will hopefully be back in full form in 2012 as he looks to continue helping the Giants succeed.

So long as he continues to produce on the level he did in 2010, maybe even improving a bit, the 24-year-old could find himself in possession of an MVP trophy.

No. 12: Brett Lawrie, Toronto Blue Jays

In 73 games in the minors in 2011, 21-year-old Brett Lawrie was a monster. Not only did he smack 18 home runs with 62 RBI, but he also hit an incredible .347. Sure enough, the Blue Jays promoted him to add some extra pop into the lineup.

Lawrie wasn't quite on that level in the majors but still hit a respectable .293 with nine homers and 25 RBI in 43 games. Thus, going into next season, it seems a sure bet that he'll be penciled in as the starting third baseman. If the Blue Jays are going to contend, then he could be the key to pushing them over the top.

If the team can be successful like it was in the early 1990s, then Lawrie could find himself as someone more valuable than Jose "Joey Bats" Bautista come the end of the season.

No. 11: Dustin Ackley, Seattle Mariners

I've been watching Dustin Ackley since he was playing college ball at North Carolina, and if I had to sum up his play in just a few words, here they are: The kid is GOOD. He's so talented that the Mariners took him with the second overall pick in the 2009 draft, and in the minors he lived up to the hype.

In 66 games at Triple-A Tacoma last season, Ackley hit .303 with nine home runs, 35 RBI and a ridiculous .421 OBP.

He adjusted quickly to the major league level once he was called up in mid June, hitting .273 with six homers and 36 RBI down the stretch. He also showed some good work with the glove.

Sure, the Mariners may have done badly last year, but guys like Ackley producing well on the major league level should mean that the dark days of the franchise could soon be over. Once the glory days are back, there could be chants of "MVP! MVP!" for Ackley.

No. 10: Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals

If the Kansas City Royals are going to contend in the coming years, a lot of their success depends on the production of Eric Hosmer.

Here's a guy who tore it up so much at Triple-A Omaha last season that the team didn't waste any time promoting him. In 26 games, Hosmer had three home runs and 15 RBI. His batting average: an unbelievable .439!

In the majors, he adjusted quickly and hit .293 with 19 homers and 78 RBI in 128 games, finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

He's a great locker room presence and could be the greatest Royals first baseman since George Brett, so here's hoping that Hosmer continues to produce amazing results as his team looks to get back into the playoffs. When it's all over, he could have one or two MVP trophies in his possession.

No. 9: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

If there's someone who could be called the pitcher of the future, it's Stephen Strasburg. The guy hasn't even played a full season yet, not to mention missed most of one due to Tommy John surgery, and he's already put up amazing numbers. In 92 career innings, he has struck out 116 batters and walked just 19.

I'm not usually one for giving pitchers the MVP award, as I think there were more deserving candidates than Justin Verlander, but I'd make an exception for Strasburg. The man is just 23 years old and is already exceeding expectations, and if he stays healthy, the Nationals could find themselves rising up the NL ranks.

Sure enough, he will end his career with multiple Cy Youngs and, perhaps, an MVP award.

No. 8: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

If the Rays were consistent playoff contenders, I think Evan Longoria would have won an MVP award already. Unfortunately, since his small-market team plays in the toughest division in baseball, the Rays have to work extra hard just to contend.

Don't get me wrong—that isn't a knock on Longoria's talent. The man is a fine fielder with a good bat. Even though his .244 batting average last year could be considered "bad," let's not forget that he still hit 31 home runs with 99 RBI and was instrumental in helping his team clinch the AL Wild Card.

That being said, while the previous players mentioned only MIGHT win an MVP award, I'm confident in saying that Evan Longoria WILL be named MVP at least once before he retires from the game. All that has to happen is for him to have a monster season in which the Rays run the table.

No. 7: Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers

If there's one player on the Los Angeles Dodgers not named Matt Kemp who I'd pick to win MVP, it would be his fellow outfielder Andre Ethier.

This talented lefty bat has the ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field and led the NL in batting for much of the first half of last season before slumping. He finished the season hitting .292 with 11 homers and 62 RBI.

The home run and RBI totals may not seem like much, but last season was an off year for both Ethier and most of the Dodgers team. He has the power to hit 30-plus homers and drive in over 100 runs every season if he stays healthy.

Once the Dodgers are back on track and fully out of the Frank McCourt drama, look for Ethier to be clutch down the stretch and contend for an MVP award.

No. 6: Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

Each of the past three seasons, Justin Upton has established himself as a reliable power bat who can also steal bases. Last year, as his Diamondbacks surprised everyone in clinching the NL West, he hit .289 with 31 home runs and 88 RBI (both career highs) while also stealing 21 bases.

Simply put, with his team-first attitude (unlike his brother B.J.), the sky is the limit for Upton. At 24, there's no telling how much more he can do for the rest of his career. With his power and speed, he may very well hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in a season. 

On top of that, if his team keeps getting better down the stretch, there could be a World Series ring in his future. With that ring, there could be an MVP award, and a well-deserved one at that.

No. 5: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox

Jacoby Ellsbury came so close to winning the AL MVP award this year, but it was snatched away from him, as he finished second to Justin Verlander. Simply put, Ellsbury is a player who can do it all. He can hit for average, has great power and speed and is phenomenal in the field.

In 2011, after a rib injury limited him to 18 games in 2010, Ellsbury had an incredible season. He hit .321 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI while also stealing 39 bases. On top of that, he scored 119 runs and had 212 total hits.

Seeing how the Red Sox are loaded with talent and contend every year, watch for the 28-year-old Ellsbury to continue his dominance in nearly every way possible. Should his team get back to the playoffs on his back, that MVP trophy could be his.

No. 4: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

Being a New York Yankees fan, I watch Robinson Cano on a regular basis. Forget Dustin Pedroia; this guy is the best second baseman in the game. He has been compared to Hall of Famer Rod Carew, but with more power. Based on his career numbers, I can see why.

In seven seasons, the 29-year-old has hit .308 with 144 home runs and 621 RBI. Last year, he hit .302 with 28 homers and a career-high 118 RBI, as his clutch hitting late in games proved instrumental in the Yankees winning the AL East.

This is a guy who just seems to get better every year, and with the Yankees expected to contend for many years to come, don't be shocked if he wins a batting title in the near future and takes home an MVP trophy.

No. 3: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

Based on Matt Kemp's 2011 season, I'm not afraid to say that this man will one day be named MVP.

The man simply had a monster year, hitting .324 with 39 homers and 124 RBI, not to mention 40 steals and 115 runs scored. Had the Dodgers made the playoffs, I'm convinced that he would have beaten Ryan Braun in the MVP race.

Still, let's not forget that Kemp is only 27 and just signed an eight-year extension. As long as he stays healthy and doesn't change his approach, he will continue to have MVP-caliber seasons and may very well be declared as such in the near future.

No. 2: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

In terms of being a future MVP, Troy Tulowitzki has two things going for him. First, he has a slick glove at shortstop. More importantly, he plays for the Colorado Rockies and thus plays in the most hitter-friendly park in all of baseball.

Since bursting onto the scene as a full-time player in 2008, the man has taken the baseball world by storm. For his career, he has hit .293 with 122 home runs and 443 RBI, and he's only 27 years old.

More importantly, Tulowitzki has finished fifth in MVP voting twice. He is one amazing season and one playoff appearance away from finishing in the top three in voting. If his Rockies can make the playoffs and do well there, that MVP trophy could end up being his to lose.

No. 1: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

Bryce Harper is definitely going to win multiple MVP awards in his MLB career. Seeing as the 2010 first overall pick has yet to play in a major league game, that prediction may seem premature. Yet based on his production in the minors, I'm convinced that this kid is something special.

Harper is only 19 years old but has already had one impressive year in the minor leagues, splitting time between A-ball and Double-A. In 109 games last year, he hit .297 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI.

On top of that, he stole 26 bases. That number alone is pretty impressive considering how Harper isn't built like a speedster, standing 6'3" and weighing 225 pounds.

Once he and Strasburg are both in the majors, I'll say this much: The Washington Nationals are going to be one dangerous team. With hitters winning most of the MVP awards and Harper leading the way in DC, just watch as he wows both fans and voters into winning tons of those MVP trophies.