As the stretch run of the 2009 baseball season approaches, it’s time to look at the National League MVP candidates. A lot of players are having great seasons this season — especially in the NL.
Here are our top four MVP candidates in the National League for the 2009 season:
1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Is there any question who is at the top of the heap? Pujols has been great all season. Currently he’s hitting .324 with 36 homers, 85 runs and 97 RBIs. If he keeps it up, the NL MVP should be his.
2. Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Playing with the …read more

C Russel Martin – Martin playing his best ball of the season.
1B Ryan Howard – Low OBP but producing when he gets contact.
2B Ian Kinsler – Kinsler is the spark of the baseball’s best lineup.
SS Hanley Ramirez – Best shortstop (player?) in the game.
3B Alex Rodriguez – A-Rod is making headlines everywhere.
OF JD Drew – Drew finally living up to the hype.
OF Jermaine Dye – Playing great for White Sox.
OF Grady Sizemore – On pace for career best season.

Is Hanley Ramirez the best player in baseball?
Photo: Newscom

The Florida Marlins run a bargain basement operation. With a total team payroll less than what Alex Rodriguez will make this year with the New York Yankees, it’s a bit surprising to hear the news that the Marlins and Hanley Ramirez have agreed a six-year, $70M extension.
Then again, if there is anyone in the major leagues to bank on, Ramirez might be that player. The 24-year-old shortstop is one of the best players in baseball. He’s currently hitting .338 with eight homers, 21 RBIs, 33 runs scored and an on-base percentage of.429. Last season, Ramirez hit …read more

Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
At 24, Hanley Ramirez is already a superstar. He’s off to a fantastic start as he’s hitting .337 with eight homers, 18 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Ramirez also has nine stolen bases and an on-base percentage of over .400.
Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros
While there are controversies surrounding Tejada regarding everything from his age to his name to his steroid use, there’s no denying how well Tejada is swinging the bat this year. He’s hitting .340 with four homers and 20 RBIs.
Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers
The 30-year-old shortstop for the Dodgers is off to an amazing start to …read more

A couple weeks into the baseball season, let’s take a break and check out the hottest fantasy baseball players. In this top five list, there will be a few players who could remain near the top for the duration of the 2008 season.
1) Mark Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks
A lot of people liked the Diamondbacks coming into the season. Few thought that they’d be this dominant this early. Mark Reynolds, the 24-year-old third baseman for Arizona, has been a monster in this early season.
2) Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
Lance Berkman has been an enigma in recent years. He has massive potential but for …read more

Matt DiFilippo at Seamheads.com re-examines some statements (h/t Baseball Think Factory) made by the writers of Baseball Prospectus over the years that ended up a little wide of the mark. Here are a few of my favorites:
On Hanley Ramirez, before his monster rookie campaign (.292/.353/.480 at age 22) with the Florida Marlins:
There’s no indication that he is ready for the major leagues, but the Marlins are apparently going to let him try.
On Jimmy Rollins, in 2004 (three years before he won the NL MVP):
In any event, his power and speed both appear to be dissipating, and without those he won’t …read more