Bernfield: Bryant has what it takes to be MVP
As of today, the unofficial end of the first half of the baseball season, Cubs' All-Star Kris Bryant is the Most Valuable Player in the National League.
He is one of baseball's most prolific hitters this season, with the highest Fangraphs WAR, most home runs, highest on-base percentage, and second-most RBI in the National League. He has also played above-average defense in the infield and outfield at six different positions this season, and has started at four.
The MVP award is often given to the offensive player of the year. Defense typically takes a back seat to the player's offensive contributions. If Bryant remains one of the NL's best hitters in the second half of the season, his abilities with his many gloves should be the deciding factor for the award.
Rarely does a player of Bryant's offensive caliber show defensive versatility like the Cubs' slugger. Should Bryant win the National League MVP this year, he'd be the first winner since Johnny Bench in 1972 to appear at as many as four positions in a season. Bench served primarily as the Reds' catcher, but also made ten starts in right field, four at third base, and two at first base.
Bryant, through Saturday's action, has made 47 starts at 3rd base, 26 in left field, nine in right field, three at 1st base, and has played an inning each in center field and at shortstop. His combined 1.2 defensive WAR at 3rd base and left field is more than serviceable.
In fact, Bryant has only started at his natural position, 3rd base, 57-percent of the time. Of the top ten players in offensive WAR this season per Fangraphs (Bryant ranks 3rd overall, 1st in the NL), just the Orioles' Manny Machado and the Rangers' Ian Desmond have started at their natural positions less frequently. Machado has played 3rd base 45-percent of the time, and Desmond signed with the Rangers knowing he would be converted from an infielder to an outfielder this season.
Besides Bryant, only the Astros' Jose Altuve, Machado, and Desmond have played more than one defensive position. While Machado regularly switches between shortstop and 3rd base, and Desmond alternates between left and center field, Altuve has played all but one game at 2nd base.
And remember, Machado, Desmond and Altuve all play in the American League, making Bryant by far the most versatile elite offensive player in the National League. The only other National Leaguers in the top ten in offensive WAR - Dodgers' shortstop Corey Seager and Diamondbacks' 3rd baseman Jake Lamb - have not changed positions this season.
Entering this weekend's action, Bryant is on pace to hit 48 home runs. That would be the most by a Cubs player since Derrek Lee swatted 46 in 2005. It would also be the most by a National League player since Albert Pujols smashed 47 round-trippers in 2009.
Neither of those guys played anywhere but first base. Bryant manned first base this year, but more regularly 3rd base, left field, and right field. If it comes down to a comparison of statistics between Bryant and another hitter, the Cubs' All-Star's versatility should give him the edge.
• Jordan Bernfield is an anchor and co-host of "Inside The Clubhouse" on WSCR 670-AM The Score. He also works as a play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN. Follow him on Twitter@JordanBernfield.