AL MVP Power Rankings: Can anyone challenge Trout?

At the end of each month, theScore's MLB editors will break down the leading candidates for the MVP and Cy Young awards in the American and National Leagues. Today, we're ranking the early favorites for the 2018 AL MVP.

5. Jose Altuve, Astros

The reigning AL MVP is making quite the case to go back to back. Although his power numbers have fallen, Altuve's more than making up for it by once again posting the league's highest average and most hits, leaving him within range of a fifth straight hits crown (not to mention a fifth straight 200-hit season) and his fourth batting title in five years. Durability is also becoming one of his hallmarks, as he's one of only three players in either league to have appeared in all 81 games so far this year. Altuve remains the straw that stirs the Astros' drink, and he's simply a joy to watch.

4. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

Martinez is in the midst of his finest season, leading two of the triple crown categories (home runs and RBIs) and ranking fourth in batting average. Yes, he's going to strike out a lot and not walk as much as some others on this list, but he's making up for that by leading all hitters in total bases.

3. Mookie Betts, Red Sox

Betts is Boston's sparkplug, the all-around threat who's nearly impossible to stop. Let's leave aside that he's playing his usual Gold Glove-caliber defense in the sport's toughest right-field assignment, because he's become an even better hitter. Right now, Betts is on pace to end up with MLB's first 30-30 season since 2012 - and we can make that a 30-30-30 season, since he should also push past the 30-double mark for a fourth straight year. His power-speed combination is made even more impressive by an MLB-best .688 slugging percentage - yes, Betts is slugging at a higher rate than all three AL players ahead of him in home runs.

2. Jose Ramirez, Indians

Ramirez is one back of the league lead in home runs and should surpass his previous high of 29 (set last year) in short order. He's not going to hit 56 doubles, as he did in 2017, but he's still within range of a 40 HR-30 double campaign. He ranks in the top five in virtually every offensive category, both standard and advanced. Most impressively, he's getting better. Ramirez is walking more than he's striking out for the first time in his career, and his 15-percent walk rate ranks fourth in the AL. Even his defense has improved, with a career-best eight defensive runs saved at third base and a UZR/150 of 12.8. There's no way to deny that this former utility man is now one of the top all-around players.

Really, the only thing going wrong for Ramirez is luck. He'd be the front-runner for the AL MVP if he wasn't stuck in the same league as that Trout guy.

1. Mike Trout, Angels

We're running out of superlatives to describe what Trout is doing on a daily basis. So let's just stick to the facts: he's far and away the best player in baseball, and he's challenging Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth for the greatest season in the history of the sport. With apologies to some very worthy contenders, the American League belongs to Michael Nelson Trout, and it may be a long time before that changes.

Honorable mention: Francisco Lindor (Indians), Eddie Rosario (Twins), Manny Machado (Orioles)

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)