3 Dark Horses That Could Win the 2020 AL MVP Award

Mike Trout may as well be a lock to win it every year at this point, but there are several players elite players, like Alex Bregman and Francisco Lindor, that are perennial AL MVP candidates. However, there are a few emerging players that, with great seasons in 2020, could wrestle MVP honors away from the usual suspects.

With that in mind, here are three dark horse candidates, according to odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook, that can win the 2020 AL MVP.

3. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Baltimore Orioles v Boston Red Sox / Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images

The Boston Red Sox could be in for down year after trading away franchise icon Mookie Betts, but if there's any player primed to fill his shoes in Beantown — and earn some MVP consideration along the way — it's Rafael Devers. The 23-year-old slugger finished 12th in the AL MVP voting in 2019 after a season in which he slashed .311/.361/.555. Devers also racked up an an AL-best 54 doubles, 32 homers and 115 RBI while leading the Majors in total bases (359). He currently owns +4000 odds to take home AL MVP honors, but if he can build on his incredible 2019 without Betts in the fold, Devers' odds could improve as the season progresses.

2. Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim v Chicago White Sox / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

There are several great dark-horse MVP candidates, but Shohei Ohtani arguably brings more value to the table as a two-way player. The 25-year-old phenom had a strong year at the plate last season, slashing .286/.343/.505 with 18 homers and 62 RBI in 425 plate appearances. He's also proven to be a capable pitcher whenever he's on the mound. Before undergoing Tommy John surgery in his rookie year, Ohtani went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts across 51 2/3 innings pitched (10 starts). Ohtani currently sports +3300 odds to take home the AL MVP Award in 2020. However, if he can rebound with a strong pitching season and replicate or improve upon his 2019 production at the plate, he'll likely find himself in the MVP conversation.

1. Gleyber Torres, 2B/SS, New York Yankees

League Championship Series - Houston Astros v New York Yankees - Game Five / Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The New York Yankees are absolutely loaded with top-end talent, but there's a legitimate argument to be made that Gleyber Torres has the best chance of any of any Yankee to win AL MVP honors. The two-time All-Star quietly had one of the best offensive seasons of any middle infielder in the Majors, slashing an impressive .278/.337/.535 with 38 homers (No. 6 in the AL) and 90 RBI. At just 23 years old, the sky is the limit for Torres, who is currently available at +2500 to win the 2020 AL MVP. If he can build on the incredible sophomore campaign he had last year, Torres should be in the hunt for the award.

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Mike Esposito is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Mike Esposito also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username espo6891. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.