Lorenzo Cain named AL MVP finalist

Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain was named a finalist for American League MVP according to the Baseball Writers Association of America, with the winner to be announced Thursday, November 19. The 29-year old Cain enjoyed his best season in 2015 hitting .307/.361/.477 with 16 HR 72 RBI. He stole 28 bases in 34 attempts, good for second in the league, and scored the fifth most runs with 101. Despite not being a finalist for a Gold Glove, Cain's defense was again exemplary. He was tied for fourth in the American League in dWAR with 2.3 and tied for third in Defensive Runs Saved at +18. Overall he was fourth in rWAR in the American League at 7.2 behind only Donaldson, Trout, and Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier.

Cain will be up against favorite Mike Trout, who is the defending American League MVP. Trout hit .299/.402/.590 with 41 HR 90 RBI for the Angels with a league-leading 9.4 rWAR. Challenging him will be Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson who hit .297/.371/.568 with 41 HR and a league-leading 123 RBI. Donaldson finished with 8.8 rWAR.

No Royals player has finished in the top three in MVP balloting since George Brett was the runner up in 1985.