Josh Donaldson is giving Mike Trout a run for the MVP

Mike Trout, to nobody’s surprise, is having another marvelous season. He’s the clear front runner for the American League MVP, posting his usual gaudy stats while playing league best defense in center field. Trout’s MVP play usually means there aren’t many other players playing near his level, but Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson has emerged as a serious competitor for the trophy.

In Donaldson’s first season with the Blue Jays, he’s absolutely raked, becoming the best player in a lineup which features heavy hitters Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Troy Tulowitzki. Batting in the two-spot for most of the season, and in the spacious confines of the Rogers Centre, the 29 year old third baseman is on pace to post career highs in almost every single offensive category this year.

Matching the two’s numbers up shows just how close things are, with each player holding advantages in many different categories.

Offensively, Donaldson has more hits (137 vs 129), more extra base hits (63 vs 58) more runs (89 vs 79), less strikeouts in more at bats (103/467 vs 117/434), more runs batted in (91 vs 72) and the same amount of home runs (33).

Trout on the other hand leads in batting average (.297 vs .293), on base percentage (.394 vs .362), slugging percentage (.588 vs .570), on base plus slugging percentage (.976 vs .932) and wins above replacement (6.9 vs 6.6)

Defensively, both are forces at their respective positions.

Donaldson has fit in perfectly in the Blue Jays infield, making spectacular plays almost routinely.

He’s posted an ugly .957 fielding percentage (25 errors), but leads American League third baseman in putouts to go with 10 defensive runs saved and a 7.3 UZR. He’s an elite defender in the hot corner, and he has a strong chance to add his first Gold Glove to his trophy case.

While numbers haven’t favored Mike Trout defensively (he ranks 27th among all qualified outfielders with a 1.9 UZR), he’s still one of the games premier defenders in center field. He’s saved four runs this year, after posting negative nine runs in both 2013 and 2014. Even if his defensive metrics don’t suggest he’s likely for a Gold Glove this year, he’s still a very valuable defensive player who covers a ridiculous amount of ground.

What’s typically haunted Toronto athletes for being considering for MVP awards in the past is the lack of winning the clubs have usually had. That’s changed this year. The Blue Jays (knock on wood) are probably going to be a playoff team this season, which further bolsters Donaldson’s case more than it usually might. Trout’s Angels are also more than likely playoff bound, so there’s no advantage in that regard.

Lineup advantages clearly favor Donaldson. Part of the reason why he has so many runs scored and RBI is because he plays in a premier spot for the MLB’s best offense. The Angels are no slouches themselves, but they don’t even come close to comparing to the Blue Jays beefed up lineup. It shouldn’t factor into the debate, but if Trout was batting leadoff or second in the Blue Jays lineup, his numbers would be boosted – which is insane since they’re already off the charts impressive.

Trout is the MVP in my books. He’s the best player in baseball who’s only getting better. Donaldson is up there too though. Before the season started, Trout was as close to being a lock as you can get for the MVP trophy, and Donaldson being right there with him is no small feat.