Paul Goldschmidt, a slugger from the St. Louis Cardinals, was chosen as the National League MVP. Third-man Manny Machado from the San Diego Padres came in second place. Nolan Arenado (Paul Goldschmidt’s teammate) took third place. 

Goldschmidt has now made the top six in casting votes for the award six times in his 12-year career. He is the first player to win his first MVP award after turning 35 since Dennis Eckersley in 1992.

The four-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star finished second in voting for National League Most Valuable Player in 2013 and 2015. After that, in 2017, as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, he finished in third place. While playing with the Cardinals, he finished sixth in the league a year ago.

The Cardinals finished 93–69 thanks to the efforts of Goldschmidt, Arenado, and a revitalized Albert Pujols, securing their 2nd division title in four years. The National League champion Philadelphia Phillies defeated them in a wild-card round at home.

Paul Goldschmidt Took the Coveted Trophy for the First Time in His Career Following a Few Near Calls

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel awarded Goldschmidt, 35, his first MVP award. Paul received 22 of 30 first-place votes & eight seconds for 380 points. Goldschmidt led the league in batting average (.317), home runs (35), RBIs (115), and on-base percentage (.981) this season. He had 41 doubles, scored 106 runs, had an on-base percentage of (.404), and led the national league in slugging percentage of (.578).

Goldschmidt’s sabermetric statistics again placed him toward the top of the list. He was first in weighted on-base average (WOBA), first in weighted runs created plus (WRC), and third in isolated power (ISO). He also finished behind Arenado in the position players’ WAR.

Goldschmidt’s MVP campaign was fueled by his .332 batting average and 1.000 OPS during the first 5 months of the campaign. September was a rough month for him offensively, having just .245 plus two home runs. Goldschmidt went (0) – for – (7) in the Cardinals’ loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild card.

Third baseman Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres received 7 first-place votes, 13 seconds, and 7 thirds to finish second overall and with 291 points. The 30-year-old had a .298 batting, 32 home runs, 102 RBIs, and an OPS of .898. The third baseman led the Padres to a wild-card playoff spot thanks to his 37 doubles and 100 run scoring.

Machado was the primary offensive contributor for San Diego because shortstop Fernando Tatis missed the whole season due to injury and suspension for PED use. Also, freshman Juan Soto struggled. According to data conducted by ESPN Stats & Information, Machado contributed 20 percent of his side’s home runs, ranking him third among National League players and recording the best percentage of extra-base hits.

Machado has accomplished this milestone four times in his career; two times with Baltimore Orioles & twice with the San Diego Padres. 

Nolan Arenado, a teammate of Goldschmidt’s on the National League Central champion Cardinals, finished third in the voting with 232 points. One ballot had him at the top, two had him in second, and fifteen had him in third place. Arenado batted .293 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs to earn his tenth consecutive Gold Glove at third base. He had 42 doubles with an OPS of .891.

What Goldschmidt Said in an Interview on MLB Network

Paul thought that, as people age, they must change, and he has made some efforts in that direction. Doing the same thing he did last year was not an option. The perception, however, persists that one may only decline with age, but no one likes being treated that way. People get inspired when they are told they can’t achieve something.

Balloting happened before the playoffs began. Goldschmidt claimed that it would be a fantastic year regardless of the outcome of the competition. Playing alongside Nolan, Albert, and other guys made this his most incredible and exciting year ever.  

Goldschmidt considered it an impressive privilege, and it was not all about him. He said that a lot of individuals had been there for him.