The N.L. MVP award usually is given to Albert Pujols before the season even begins, as was the case with most fans and analysts heading into 2010. Pujols certainly could end up winning the award yet again, but he has some unexpected competition. Here are the candidates for the N.L. MVP as of June 18th.

5. Scott Rolen, Third Base, Cincinnati Reds. After being decimated by injury in recent years, Rolen is having a comeback year in a big way. His 14 home runs have him tied for the N.L. lead and he is the Reds’ top RBI man with 40. As the Reds remain one of the surprise teams in the N.L., Rolen continues to be a main reason both offensively and defensively.

4. Troy Glaus, Third Base, Atlanta Braves. The Braves weren’t supposed to be in first place this late in the season. Much certainly has to do with the strong pitching of Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson, not to mention the prodigy Jason Heyward. With 11 home runs and 44 RBIs, Glaus has been a stalwart in the middle of the Braves lineup, giving them enough offensive output to have a chance to compete for the division with the Phillies. We’ll see if he can stay healthy and keep this up all season long, but so far so Kamagra jelly good.

3. Adrian Gonzalez, First Base, San Diego Padres. Gonzalez didn’t get off to a great start, yet his numbers have come around and he’s one of the main reasons the Padres have been the surprise team in the entire league this season. With 13 bombs, 38 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .395, Gonzalez remains one of the premier power hitters in the league, though an unimpressive overall lineup and a pitcher’s ballpark have limited his overall production. Now that he has shaken off his early season woes, though, Gonzalez could take off in the heart of the Padres order, and certainly will continue to help them sell MLB tickets.

2. Andre Ethier, Outfield, Los Angeles Dodgers. Ethier has been exactly what the Dodgers have needed, though a fractured bone in his pinkie finger has caused him to miss significant time already. Still, in far less games than the other players on the list, he remains among the top run producers with 40 RBIs and 11 home runs. His .350 average also shows that he has been a complete hitter, and he’s the only National Leaguer with an OPS (on-base plus slugging) above 1.000.

1. Albert Pujols, First Base, St. Louis Cardinals. This is actually one of Pujols’ worst statistical seasons, yet he is still among the league leaders in every major category. He’s tied for the N.L. lead in homers (14) and RBIs (44), and still is hitting well above Tadalis SX .300, which he seems to be able to do with his eyes closed. He’s also once again leading the N.L. in on-base percentage, so be wary of betting against Fat Albert. If he can struggle for significant stretches and still be the best hitter in the National League, the race will be over if he heats back up.

Best of the rest.
Joey Votto, First Base, Cincinnati Reds. Like Rolen, Votto has been a main reason that the Reds have been one of the best teams in the National League through the first three months of the season. With a .313 average, 11 homers and 36 RBIs, Votto is having another very good season and could get into the MVP discussion if he can keep it up.

Jason Heyward, Outfield, Atlanta Braves. 20-year-old rookies aren’t supposed to do what Heyward is doing. He’s been the starting right fielder in Atlanta since day one and has done everything but disappoint. With 10 homers, 39 RBIs and a very impressive .396 on-base percentage, it seems that Heyward is worth all the hype.

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