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Top 10 early MLB MVP candidates

Caption: Apr 30, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) celebrates with Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) and Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Avisail Garcia, right fielder, Chicago White Sox

While the end of May wasn’t especially kind to the South Siders, the Sox have been one of baseball’s surprises for the first two months. Entering June, Chicago is only four games out of first place in the American League Central.

Who can we thank for that? We can start with a division that’s been underwhelming. But looking beyond that, Garcia has been the focal point of the White Sox’ success in 2017.

He is slashing at .332/.374/.547 and has 22 extra-base hits, including eight home runs, giving Jose Abreu a running mate in the team’s offense. This isn’t a stacked lineup with great pitching like the Astros and Nationals enjoy, either. If Garcia isn’t hitting, Abreu is a one-man show, excluding home runs from the powerful but offensively one-dimensional Todd Frazier. In other words, if Garcia isn’t hitting, Chicago is going absolutely nowhere.

Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case. His bat has thrived, which has kept the White Sox within striking distance of a playoff spot.

While with the Detroit Tigers, Garcia reminded people of Miguel Cabrera, even earning the nickname “Little Miggy.” Garcia has certainly shown some potential in the past, but has never quite lived up to that moniker.

In 2017, though, that’s changed.

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