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New York Mets: Jacob deGrom should be in the running for NL MVP

ByKyle Morello|
New York Mets. Jacob deGrom (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
New York Mets. Jacob deGrom (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Jacob deGrom is having a truly spectacular season for the New York Mets. He is arguably in the lead for the NL Cy Young award race, but could he actually garner some NL MVP votes as well?

There is no doubt in my mind that deGrom will win the NL Cy Young award with the season he is having with the New York Mets.

Despite the fact that Nationals pitcherMax Scherzerand Phillies studAaron Nolaare having amazing campaigns, nobody in the Nl, or even the MLB has pitched better this year than deGrom.

He deserves the award more than any of these guys. I firmly believe he will get it too.

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However, he should also be in the running for NL MVP. Yes, despite the fact that he has an 8-8 record on the year and his team is currently in 4th place in the NL East, he has easily been one of if not the most valuable players in the National League.

According to Baseball Reference, deGrom isleading the entire MLBin ERA (1.68) and HR/9 (0.4).

He’s also leading the NL in ERA+ (park adjusted ERA) at 219 and FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) at 2.08.

He is also top three in the NL in WHIP, K/9, Innings Pitched and Strikeouts, among other things.

Why does this matter? Because his stat line this year compares favorably to years where other pitchers have won MVP.

For example, Dodgers pitcherClayton Kershawwon NL Cy Young and MVP in 2014. That year Kershaw had a worse ERA, ERA+, SO/9, and the same HR/9 as deGrom does this year.

There’s also the case ofJustin Verlander, who won AL Cy Young and MVP in 2011 while pitching for the Tigers. That year, Verlander had a worse ERA, ERA+, FIP, SO/9, and HR/9 than deGrom currently has.

The only difference between those two MVP seasons and deGrom’s potential one this season is that Kershaw was 21-3 and Verlander was 24-5.

Despite his historic season, deGrom currently has a less than ideal record. Even though wins mean less than ever for a pitcher, this is still hurting his chances regardless.

With a crowded race of hitters that includeJavier Baez,Matt CarpenterandFreddie Freemanvotes will be hard to come by.

And while they are all having outstanding seasons, nobody in the NL is having quite the season that Jacob deGrom is having for the Mets.

He probably won’t be heavily considered for the NL MVP. But, we all know he should be.

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