MLB’s MVPs are almost always among the league leaders in the wins above replacement (WAR) stat, which attempts to gauge a player’s overall contribution to his team’s success. To almost no one’s surprise, perennial WAR-horse Mike Trout is again among the leaders more than a third of the way through the 2018 season.
Trout is quietly on pace to challenge Babe Ruth for the greatest single-season performance in history. The Sultan of Swat compiled 14.1 wins above replacement in the 1923 season.
UPDATED June 4, 2018
MIKE TROUT
Trout finished among the AL WAR leaders last year, despite missing 45 games due to a thumb injury. Now, fully recovered, no one will be surprised if he finishes atop the entire league in the stat for the fourth time of his still young career. He currently leads both leagues in home runs, on base percentage and total bases.
2016-17 Season
Batting Average
Slugging %
.443
143
5.3
AARON JUDGE
New York Yankees slugging-sensation Aaron Judge finished third in WAR last season while winning the Rookie of the Year award. He’s in the thick of things again in 2018, currently sitting in 6th place.
2016-17 Season
Batting Average
Slugging %
.414
120
3.2
MOOKIE BETTS
Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts finished sixth in the AL MVP voting last year, and second the year before that. At the time of his abdominal injury in May, Betts led the league in runs, hits, batting average, slugging percentage and total bases.
2016-17 Season
Batting Average
Slugging %
.437
138
4.1
FRANCISCO LINDOR
Heating up in May, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is currently fourth in WAR, and is on pace to obliterate his previous season-high of 5.9 WAR. Teammate Jose Ramirez has surged into third place in the American League with 4.0 WAR.
2016-17 Season
Batting Average
Slugging %
.381
135
3.7
JOSE ALTUVE
Houston Astros star Jose Altuve led all players in WAR last year on way to being named the American League’s Most Valuable Player. He’s considerably off last year’s pace, but a hot summer at the plate could put him right back in the thick of things.
2016-17 Season
Batting Average
Slugging %
.379
112
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