How do we define what is the most
valuable? It's subjective for sure. Is it simply the player that has
the best numbers? Does being on a winning team really matter? Do we
need to factor in things that just can't be measured? Adam Jones is
an MVP for many reasons, both statistically and in other ways that can't be
measured. First the ones that maybe can't be measured. The intangibles. The unique qualities he possesses that help fuel the team. The Orioles
have seen All-Star Catcher Matt Wieters lost for the season (he was
having his best year offensively), All-Star third baseman Manny
Machado hurt to start the year, suspended and now gone for the year
with an injury, JJ Hardy has only 9 home runs and Chris Davis is
hitting in the .190's.
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| Photo Credit: zimbio.com |
This has made what Adam Jones has done
more valuable than anyone else. He has meant more to his team then
anyone else. Yes Nelson Cruz has had a great year and helped a great
deal. With his league leading 39 home runs, and 101 RBI's to boot. But Jones is by far the MVP of this team. With the injures and
under-performances of key players the season that Jones is having is
a big reason for the Orioles being where they are. He is the team's
leader on and off the field. He never gets too down or high after a win or a loss. And the influence of his mentality of never giving up and constantly grinding everyday shows up throughout the team. He is the heart and soul of the team, and in many ways as he goes so does the team.
Statistically Jones is having a really good year. Hitting .286/.319/.463/.783 overall for the season, with 24
home runs and 81 RBI's. His 164 hits ranks 8th in the
American League. But the numbers that jump out at me for MVP are what
he's done in “clutch” spots (and you know a great deal of the
Orioles fan base thinks Jones isn't clutch? Good stuff). In wins,
.340/.375/.568/.943 ( in losses .208/.236/.214/.549). With 2 outs
(you know clutch) .305/.336/.493/.829. With Runners In Scoring
Position ( something the entire team sucks at if you listen to
Orioles fans on social media) .324/.359/.496/.855. Even more
clutch,with 2 outs and RISP, .323/.364/.484/.848. Oh and he has 6 sac
fly's, 15th in the AL.
There is also Jones's defense. He has a
.982 fielding percentage and 324 put outs, which is 8th
amongst all outfielders and 5th in the American League. His 7
assists, rank 12th in the AL. His defensive WAR (
not a fan of WAR or UZR,but I will include them) is 8.9, and his UZR
is 7.3, 4th among CF's. He routinely cuts balls off and
holds runners from taking an extra base. His defense has helped win games as much as his bat.
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| Turning a 3 run homer into a double play Photo Credit: fansided.com |
Now compare his numbers to Mr. Trout.
Hitting .285/.370/.552/.922 with 32 home runs and 102 RBI's. His batting average is a point lower, and yes his OPS is better. And yeah he's
got more homers and RBI. But, Jones has a batting average of .340 in
wins vs Trout's .309. Also Jones is having a better season w/RISP and
most notably with 2 outs and 2 outs w/RISP. Trout is hitting
.199/.331/.288/.619 with 2 outs. And with 2 outs and RISP he is only
hitting .213/.362/.298/.660. So he hasn't been as “clutch” in
those spots as Jones has.
Trout is widely considered on of the
better defenders in the game. The defensive metrics (which again I am
not a fan of and don't at all understand how Trouts are this bad)
show Trout to be having a bad year in the field. A defensive WAR of
-5.4 and a UZR of -6.6, despite having a .994 fielding percentage,with
335 putouts and 4 assist.
Trout is on a team that has a future
Hall of Famer in Albert Pujols, who, while not the same Albert, is
still a force and having a good year. And yes Josh Hamilton has been
hurt and is not having a great year. The Angels still have not had the
players lost for year or under perform the way the Orioles have and Trout has not had to pick up as much slack as Jones has. The Angels
pitching has also been really good this year and one could argue
that someone like Garrett Richards is the Angels MVP more so than
Trout.
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| The Champ...no MVP is here!!! |
I know that Jones is behind Trout in
almost every statistical category. But I feel with the players the
Orioles have lost from their lineup and with some players having down
years at the plate, what Jones has done for this team make him the
most VAULABLE player. Without Jones's production I shudder to think
where the Orioles would be this season. So factoring in Jones stats,
the loss and under-performance of key players,and his gold glove defense, I would say Adam Jones is more valuable to the Orioles, a first place
team that would not be in first without him, than Mike Trout is to
the Angels.
-Matt Baggette @mlb930
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