MLB midseason awards: Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rizzo leading MVP candidates
The ageless wonder David Ortiz and his offensive production during his Retirement Tour has dominated the headlines, but it's Josh Donaldson who's on track to repeat as American League MVP.
Donaldson, third baseman of the Toronto Blue Jays, received four of the 10 first-place AL MVP votes in USA TODAY Sports' midseason award rankings. The Boston Red Sox designated hitter was fourth in the rankings.
The National League MVP race is a tight one, with Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo holding a narrow lead over teammate Kris Bryant and Washington Nationals' David Murphy.
There's a much clearer picture in the Cy Young race. In the NL, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw received a unanimous decision. Chicago White Sox's Chris Sale holds the advantage over Cleveland Indians' Danny Salazar in the AL.
Here's a look at the top vote totals in our second release (Voting by a panel of 10 USA TODAY Sports writers and editors. First-place votes in parentheses):
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AMERICAN LEAGUE MVP - vote total (based on a 14-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale)
1. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays (4 1st-place votes) -- 100
2. Mike Trout, Angels (3) -- 94
3. Jose Altuve, Astros (2) -- 92
4. Manny Machado, Orioles (1) -- 84
5. David Ortiz, Red Sox -- 61
6. Robinson Cano, Mariners -- 37
T-7. Francisco Lindor, Indians -- 28
T-7. Ian Desmond, Rangers -- 28
9. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox -- 25
T-9. Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox -- 11
T-9. Mark Trumbo, Orioles -- 11
NATIONAL LEAGUE MVP
1. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (4) -- 101
T-2. Daniel Murphy, Nationals (3) -- 100
T-2. Kris Bryant, Cubs (3) -- 100
4. Nolan Arenado, Rockies -- 62
5. Yoenis Cespedes, Mets -- 46
6. Matt Carpenter, Cardinals -- 45
7. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers -- 32
8. Wilson Ramos, Nationals -- 25
9. Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks -- 23
10. Corey Seager, Dodgers -- 17
AL CY YOUNG (based on a 7-4-3-2-1 scale)
1. Chris Sale, White Sox (7) -- 61
2. Danny Salazar, Indians (3) -- 47
3. Steven Wright, Red Sox -- 25
4. Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays -- 12
5. Cole Hamels, Rangers -- 9
NL CY YOUNG
1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (10) -- 70
2. Madison Bumgarner, Giants -- 33
3. Johnny Cueto, Giants -- 30
4. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals --14
5. Jose Fernandez, Marlins -- 12
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (based on a 5-3-1 scale)
1. Michael Fulmer, Tigers (8) -- 44
2. Nomar Mazara, Rangers (2) -- 32
3. Tyler Naquin, Indians -- 8
4. Dae-Ho Lee, Mariners -- 6
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Corey Seager, Dodgers (7) -- 44
2. Aledmys Díaz, Cardinals (3) -- 32
3. Trevor Story, Rockies -- 12
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