6 Darkhorse MVP Candidates After the First Half

Travis Shaw, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers

Current Odds: N/A

The Milwaukee Brewers currently holding down first place in the National League Central over the Cubs (and by 5.5 games) is one of baseball's most surprising stories thus far in 2017. Eric Thames starting the year like a house on fire also grabbed plenty of headlines. He grabbed so many, in fact, that Travis Shaw's own hot start was overlooked.

But while Thames has very much come back down to reality since that otherworldly start (100 wRC+ and .333 wOBA since May 1st), Shaw has continued raking. The Mayor of Ding Dong City has already set a new single-season career high with 19 bombs, and he's on track to set new career bests in ISO (.272), soft-hit rate (16.6%), and hard-hit rate (37.6%), as well.

Miller Park is a haven for left-handed hitters, which is something Shaw has taken advantage of during his short time with the Brew Crew. However, he's actually been even more productive on the road. Check out how his OPS, ISO, wOBA, and wRC+ change between being at home and hitting the road this season.

Thames is still getting the headlines and the odds are more in his favor, but Shaw is more deserving because he's been a consistent force in the middle of Milwaukee's lineup. Without him mashing the way he's been, they wouldn't be able to call themselves a first-place team right now.