Pittsburgh Pirates: The Choice For Team MVP Is A Close Call

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates decided to name Andrew McCutchen as team MVP.

In the past, usually one player has been the clear-cut choice, but this season that is far from the case. While McCutchen may get the national buzz, I am not quite sure he has been the best player on the team this season.

Here are my rankings:

3. Andrew McCutchen – For me at least, McCutchen sits as the third most valuable player this season. It’s not because of the rib injury that forced him to miss time. Frankly, Pittsburgh as a whole has become spoiled with McCutchen.

He can do just about anything on the field and you almost seem to learn something new every day from him. With that being said, there have just been players who have brought it on a different level, one of which was not expected, which brings me to No. 2 on my list.

2. Josh Harrison – I am not sure anyone saw this coming. Hitting coach Jeff Branson told Harrison nothing he was doing in the minor leagues was wrong and now with Branson, it comes as no surprise that his player found confidence.

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Harrison was a spark plug regardless where he was placed in the lineup and field. It seemed as though anytime you turned on the television there he was making a play. For me his signature play was his diving grab at Yankee Stadium. I was in Washington D.C. at the time in preparation for a golf event and watched in amazement from my hotel room.

Harrison is the people’s choice for the Pirates MVP and it’s easy to see why. Harrison finally has found that big game to match his enormous smile.

1. Russell Martin – I understand Martin does not have the numbers McCutchen did or make as many plays Harrison did, but this is the Most Valuable Player award, and Martin fits that bill. When Martin likely leaves this team in the offseason, the Pirates will not recover at that position.

Sure general manager Neal Huntington says they could look for the next Russell Martin, but what if that doesn’t exist? As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, Tony Sanchez currently would be your starting catcher for next season, and that will not get the job done.

Huntington made the right call in choosing Edinson Volquez instead of A.J. Burnett. Martin is a changed hitter and both his defense and pitch framing have made true differences. Martin makes any pitcher feel more confident and to me, that is more important than hitting 25 home runs or batting in 100. Martin’s leadership only adds to it.

The majority of people I polled believed Harrison was the choice. Harrison has always been a crowd favorite, but to me Martin is kind of like that cult hero. He has the playoff beard in full bloom already, he has the  Burnett type of mentality and any clubhouse he enters is one that comes with respect.

For me an MVP is not just about the numbers, but about the overall picture. That is why Martin is my choice.