Manny Machado, who led the league in
fWAR and led the Padres to their first (full season) playoff appearance in 16 seasons, is my pick as National League Player of the Year.
Machado hit .298/.366/.531 with 30 home runs, 102 RBIs and 100 runs. He emerged as a
leader, too.
Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman were also worthy candidates.
Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara was the league’s best pitcher, and Atlanta featured the league’s top rookies: center fielder Michael Harris and pitcher Spencer Strider.
The Mets lead the All-Star team with five players, plus manager Buck Showalter. The Cardinals and Phillies placed two players each. The Dodgers, with a team-record 111 wins, added Mookie Betts.
Albert Pujols hit his 700th career home run and bookended his career with home runs in his first at-bat at Busch Stadium and his
final at-bat at Busch. Pujols, who hit .323/.388/.715 with 18 home runs in the second half of the season, might be the best first basemen of all time.
— Kevin Brewer