With the first half of the 2024 MLB season coming to a close last week and the second half just getting 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.
Chicago Cubs – Shota Imanaga LHP
Shota has been incredible to start the season out for the Cubs. The rookie in his first big league season has recorded a 2.97 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP over 97.0 innings pitched. Imanaga has been extremely reliable, totalling a 8-2 record in 17 games started through the first half of the 2024 season. Imanaga ranks in the 95th percentile for chase rate at 34.8%, and the 96th percentile for walk rate at 4.0% and has been the best piece on a struggling Cubs team.
Cincinnati Reds – Elly De La Cruz SS
Elly De La Cruz has been great for Cincinnati in what will be his first full season in the majors. The 22-year old switch hitter has hit for a slashline of .256/.346/.483 with an OPS+ of 128. De La Cruz leads the National League with six triples, and leads the entire major leagues with 46 stolen bases. While he’s striking out almost 31% of the time, if he can get on base more often, he is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous players in all of baseball, and currently the Reds MVP.
Milwaukee Brewers – William Contreras C
There’s arguably no catcher in this league through the first half that you could say has been better than William Contreras. In 93 games in the first half, Contreras hit for a slashline of .286/.352/.440 with an OPS+ of 120. Contreras ranks in the 92nd percentile for average exit velocity and hard-hit rate, and has been the anchor for this division leading Brewers team.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Paul Skenes RHP
Although he hasn’t had the largest sample size or games played on the Pirates this season, Skenes is undoubtedly their first half MVP. Skenes’ dominance in his short time so far in the majors has been otherworldly. In 66.1 innings pitched, Skenes is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA and a K/9 rate of 12.1. Skenes ranks in the 98th percentile for strikeout rate, striking out nearly 35% of his batters. He’d go onto make the National League All Star team while earning the starting pitcher honors for the midsummer classic.
St. Louis Cardinals – Masyn Winn SS
One of the lesser talked about young rising stars in this league is Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn. What Winn has been able to do so far this season has been crucial for the Cardinals in bringing them to a second place spot in the division. The 22-year old has hit for a .284/.332/.406, with an OPS+ of 108. While having a very solid season at the plate so far, Winn’s arm strength in the field ranks in the 96th percentile. Winn has a team leading WAR of 3.7, on the same roster with Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.