Kris Bryant, one of three finalists for Players Choice National League Outstanding Player Award
The MLBPA announced its finalists for Outstanding Player, Outstanding Pitcher, Outstanding Rookie and Comeback Player in both leagues, along with Player of the Year and Marvin Miller Man of the Year. Kyle Hendricks is one of three finalists for NL Outstanding Pitcher of the Year. And Kris Bryant is a finalist for the Outstanding Player of the Year Award in the National League.
Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado (Rockies) and Daniel Murphy (Nationals) are the three finalists for the Outstanding Player Award in the National League. Jose Altuve (Astros), Mookie Betts (Red Sox) and Mike Trout (Angels) are the finalists in the American League.
The three finalists for Player of the Year are Jose Altuve (Astros), Mookie Betts (Red Sox) and David Ortiz (Red Sox).
Winners of this year’s Players Choice Awards will be announced Wednesday, Nov. 9 on the MLB Network (7:00-8:30pm CST).
Kris Bryant has followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign with a exceptional first full-year in the big leagues.
Bryant is batting .293/.386/.558 with 35 doubles, three triples and 39 home runs for a .944 OPS. Bryant has shown a lot of improvement at the plate by cutting down his strikeouts from a year ago and making more contact. Bryant has 175 hits and 74 walks with 152 strikeouts in 153 games. Bryant has scored 121 runs while driving in 102 with two games remaining in the season.
Nolan Arenado is hitting .296/.363/.575 with 35 doubles, six triples and 41 home runs for a .938 OPS. Arenado has 180 hits, 67 walks and 102 strikeouts in 158 games. Arenado has scored 115 runs and has 133 RBI.
Daniel Murphy has hit .347/.391/.596 in 141 games this season with 47 doubles, five triples and 25 home runs for a .987 OPS. Murphy has 184 hits and 104 RBI with 88 runs scored.
Defensively, Nolan Arenado is considered the best third baseman in the National League and an argument could be made he’s the best in the game right now. Daniel Murphy holds his own in the field but pales in comparison to Arenado and Kris Bryant regardless of which position he’s playing. Bryant has played six different positions for Joe Maddon this season.
• 2016 Players Choice Awards Finalists Announced