With the first half of the 2024 MLB season coming to a close last week and the second half about to get underway, it’s time to take a moment to reflect on each team’s most valuable player thus far. While most got the credit they deserved with an all star selection, it’s still important to dive deeper into just how pivotal each player on this list has been to their team.
Cleveland Guardians – Steven Kwan LF
The MLB leader in batting average has easily been the Guardians most valuable player so far in their impressive first half. Kwan elevated his game to another level in the first half of 2024, earning his first all star selection upon hitting for a slashline of .352/.407/.512. The lefty who’s generally been known to have very little power has already passed his home run total for the past two seasons, and has recorded a 159 OPS+.
Chicago White Sox – Garrett Crochet LHP
Garrett Crochet has developed into one of the best left handed pitchers in the league, and has excelled in 2024. While he most likely won’t be on Chicago’s roster much longer, Crochet was one of the only bright spots on a horrible White Sox team in the first half. Crochet leads the MLB in starts and strikeouts at 150 strikeouts in 20 games started. The 150 strikeouts were enough to help him to a league leading 12.6 K/9 rate. Crochet also has been great at limiting the long ball, walks, and hit by pitches for an American League leading FIP of 2.36.
Detroit Tigers – Tarik Skubal LHP
Tarik Skubal has been dominant out of the Detroit rotation this season, and rumors of him being traded for a massive haul have been bubbling. Skubal leads the American League in Win-Loss percentage with a .769 W-L%, and a 10-3 record. Skubal also leads the entire MLB with his 2.41 ERA in 116.0 innings pitched. The left hander has been a workhorse for the Tigers in the first half, earning his first all star selection, and pitching only one less start than league leader Garrett Crochet.
Kansas City Royals – Bobby Witt Jr. SS
The Royals new franchise shortstop in his third season has been elite through the first half. Witt leads the MLB in games played and hits with 125 hits in 97 games. Witt hit for a .323 batting average with 16 home runs in the first half and swiped 22 bags, making it appear that he’ll have another 30/30 season. Witt also has nine triples and could very well end the season with the most triples in the MLB like he did in 2023. So far in 2024, Witt has a 5.4 WAR.
Minnesota Twins – Carlos Correa SS
A name many may haven’t heard too much of since his time with Houston, Correa’s been solid since going to Minnesota. Correa’s hit for a slashline of .308/.377/.520 with an OPS+ of 151. The veteran shortstop leads the Twins in WAR with 3.6, and ranks in the 95th percentile for Batting Run Value. While Correa doesn’t walk a considerable amount in 2024, the strikeout numbers have been fine, only striking out 16.7% of the time. For a team that could use a veteran performing at a high level, Correa is filling that spot very nicely.
