How about just handing him an MVP trophy?
There’s little question that Prado is the Braves’ most valuable player. When he returned from the disabled list with a fracture in his right pinkie and led the Braves in their 10-2 victory over the Washington Nationals, he started at third base (vacated by the injured Chipper Jones) and batted third (also Jones’ spot). The significance was kind of obvious.
If this guy doesn’t get consideration for National League Most Valuable Player honors, something is wrong. Should Prado continue to hit at his normal pace, he’ll still have good chance to lead the National League in hits and win the batting title, despite missing 16 games. If he continues to bat third, he’ll certainly have a chance to significantly add to his RBI total (though he won’t likely crack the top 10).
Unfortunately, MVP voters seldom factor defense and versatility into the voting. But no player is more valuable to his team than Prado is to the Braves. The favorites for the award are probably are St. Louis’s Albert Pujols (.315, 30 homers, 86 RBI) and Cincinnati’s Joey Votto (.322, 28, 79). Prado is at .318, 13 homers and 45 RBIs. Link
I expect Albert Pujols to win it.
Martin Prado's stats:
* Avg .318
* HR 13
* RBI 45
* Runs 78
* SB 4
