These are my Top 5 NL players this year in no particular order. I think the NL has a stronger class of players so this one was a little more difficult to narrow down.
Brian McCann - Braves--McCann is arguably the best catcher in all of baseball right now. With 18 HR and 55 RBI he could very have the best season of his career. He is on pace to best most of his stats from previous years. Has won the Silver Slugger Award 4 of the last 5 years and there is no reason to believe he won’t win it again this year.
Matt Kemp- Dodgers--Having the best year of his career so far with 26 HR and 84 RBI while batting .317 and stealing 29 bases, he is one of the league leader in all of those catergories. Can beat you anywhere on the diamond with his speed and power. Already a 25/25 player this year, could even make it to the 40/40 club if he keeps it up and stays healthy.
Ryan Braun - Brewers--The player who is the reason Fielder isn’t in my top 5. Braun is batting .326 this year with 21 HR and 74 RBI while also has stealing 20 bases. Was NL player of the month in April and broke the record for All-Star votes in the NL this year. Had a 23 game hitting streak earlier this year. Also one of the top left fielders in the game today. Led NL left fielders last year with 279 putouts.
Albert Pujols- Cardinals--The Machine’s batting average is down a bit this year, but c’mon it Pujols. He still has 27 HR and can turn it on at any time. Until he has just a terrible year he will be considered one of the best in all of baseball. Had 2 straight games with walk-off home runs in June, so he is still very much clutch. With Pujols in the lineup the Cardinals average 4.8 runs per game, without him they only average 3.9.
Ryan Howard - Phillies--Howard is one of the games best power hitters. With 24 HR and 89 RBI’s to this point in the season he is on pace to possibly reach another 40 HR season. His average is down a bit this year, but playing with the Phillies its not a huge deal. Became the fastest player to reach 250 HR in MLB history last season.
Honorable Mention
Joey Votto - Reds--Stats are down a bit from his MVP year last season, most likely wont reach last years numbers of 37 HR and 113 RBI but is still having a strong season so far with 17 HR and 70 RBI and a batting average of .322. Does have the best On Base Percentage of his career though.
Prince Fielder- Brewers--Another one of the great power hitters, has already accumulated 26 HR and 85 RBI while batting .304. Was the All-Star MVP this year. Might not even be the best player on his team though.
Andrew McCutchen - Pirates--Has been a huge part of the Pirates success this year. Made it to his first all star game in 2011 and has 15 HR and 64 RBI (already career highs) so far this year. Has also stolen 17 bases, so has an outside chance to have a 30/30 year for the Pirates.
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