- The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 5, 2022

After three straight seasons of finishing in the top 10 of National League MVP voting, oddsmakers believe 2022 will be Juan Soto’s year to finish on top.

The Major League Baseball season kicks off Thursday, and the Nationals’ superstar is a heavy favorite with most sportsbooks to win the NL MVP award. His best odds appear to be on DraftKings Sportsbook, which has the right fielder at +280 to claim the trophy. 

The next-best odds are +700 for Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper is at +900 to repeat as NL MVP, while Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts is also at +900. Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (+1,200), Dodgers shortstop and former National Trea Turner (+1,400) and Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (+1,800) are other potential contenders on DraftKings.

While Soto is only 23 years old, being an MVP seems like a long time coming for the on-base machine. 

In 2019, Soto finished ninth in NL MVP voting and helped lead the Nationals to a World Series trophy.

Then, in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign, Soto finished fifth in MVP voting despite being the best statistical hitter in the NL. He led the NL in batting average, on-base and slugging percentage, but Soto likely wasn’t a finalist for the award — which then-Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman won — due to missing 13 games due to contracting COVID-19 as well as a sore elbow. 

Last season, Soto also had a legitimate claim to the award by leading the Senior Circuit in wins above replacement, but he finished second behind Phillies outfielder (and former Nationals teammate) Bryce Harper. Soto led the league with 145 walks and a .465 on-base percentage in 2021. 

• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.

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