DJ the MVP of the AL?
On January 14 th , 2019 the New York Yankees announced the signing
of an All Star infielder to a 2 year, $24 million dollar deal. It was DJ
LeMahieu, and not Manny Machado, who signed a much larger deal
later in the off season with the San Diego Padres. Fan reaction to
LeMahieu’s signing was lukewarm. A solid hitter for sure, and a great
defender, but how would the former Colorado Rockie hit when he
wasn’t a mile high. DJ meant no Machado. He’d be helping to cover
down until Didi Gregorius returned from the injured list, then
playing a utility role. At least, that was the plan at the time.
Fast forward to the end of June, and LeMahieu is batting .336 with
12HR, 54RBI, and 58 runs scored. He has already equaled the second-
highest home run total of his career (he hit 15 last season for a career
best). The Machine may have left Coors Field, but he’s hitting 57
points higher than last season, and he has beat his current .336
average just once in his career, when he hit .348 to win the National
League batting title in 2016. His current OPS+ of 132 would be the
best of his career, with his only other season being above average was
during that batting-title campaign. DJ has 33 multi hit games on the
year, tied for tops in MLB. Now back at sea level, LeMahieu is hitting
.336 on the road, versus the .229 average he had last season, and he is
hitting .331 at Yankee Stadium, which is on pace with his .330 career
mark at home.
“He’s been a really good player for us in every possible
way,” Manager Aaron Boone says, “The defense, the
offense, the high-leverage situations he’s been productive
in.”
LeMahieu is hitting an AL-best .336; leads Major League Baseball with
a .478 AVG with Runners In Scoring Position, and has a 1.201 OPS with RISP.
He’s slashing .421/.454/.645 w/ men on & .439/.489/.756 with 2 out,
runners on. He’s hitting .344 during tied games and he’s on pace to cruise
past his career-highs for HR & RBI.
He is making a case for not only team MVP, but possibly the American
League as well. LeMahieu ranks sixth in Baseball-Reference WAR at
3.3. Mike Trout leads that category a 5.3, but he’s doing it for a .500
team in 4th place. So, yes, DJ LeMahieu is a legitimate MVP candidate
and should be representing the Yankees in the All-Star Game.
