Manny Machado’s Early Statistical Success In 2022 Reveals Leadership And Maturity

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado is an early frontrunner in the race for the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award. He presently sits atop the leaderboard in several traditional and advanced statistical categories. As the five-time All-Star turns 30-years-old in July, maturity and leadership are evident in Machado as he strives to bring a world championship to San Diego while repairing the unflattering aspects of his reputation.

It is difficult to assess why a ball player of Machado’s caliber has been overshadowed by contemporaries and teammates over the past decade. The Baltimore Orioles selected Machado with the third pick in the 2010 draft and presented the high school shortstop with a $5.25 million signing bonus. The first overall pick, Bryce Harper, had already appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated a year before the draft as a 16-year-old prodigy. The outfielder received a $6.25 million signing bonus from the Washington Nationals. According to Baseball-Reference’s calculation of Wins Above Replacement (WAR), Machado’s 48.4 WAR is currently the highest of any ball player who was selected in the 2010 draft.

As Harper and Machado were ready to embark upon their professional careers, the legend of Mike Trout was already spreading throughout baseball. A 25^th pick in the 2009 draft by the Los Angeles Angels, the outfielder was given a $1.215 million signing bonus. The comparisons between Harper and Trout were instantaneous while Machado never factored into the riveting conversations.

Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton might have signed a 13-year, $325 million contract extension with the Miami Marlins in November 2014, but it was Machado who became the first major league ball player to sign a free agent contract worth $300 million in February 2019. Harper surpassed Machado in a matter of days thanks to a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Once again, Trout reigned supreme with a 12-year, $426.5 million contract extension roughly one month after Harper had signed his contract.

A two-time Gold Glove Award winner with the Orioles (2013, 2015), Machado’s stellar defense had also won him the prestigious Platinum Glove Award (2013). During his time in the American League, Machado competed against the likes of Adrian Beltre, Matt Chapman, Evan Longoria, and Kyle Seager for defensive superiority at third base. Upon his arrival in the National League thanks to a July 2018 trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Machado quickly discovered the dominance of Nolan Arenado. The third baseman has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards for the Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals (2013-2021). According to FanGraphs’ Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) statistics over the past 10 seasons (2012-2021), Machado’s 100 DRS and 61.6 UZR only trail Arenado’s 136 DRS and 62.2 UZR among qualified third basemen.

Machado has finished in the top five of the Most Valuable Player Award voting three times: twice in the American League (2015, 2016) and once in the National League (2020). The draft class of 2010 has produced two winners of the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award. Harper has won it twice (2015, 2021) prior to his age 29 season and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich also won the award in 2018 during his age 26 season. Yelich was the 23^rd overall pick by the Marlins. According to Baseball-Reference, only one ball player who was drafted third overall has ever won a Most Valuable Player Award: Hall of Famer Robin Yount achieved this feat twice for the Brewers (1982, 1989).

Machado has earned a reputation for being immature, moody, and selfish while possessing extraordinary talent. Many have questioned his decision-making abilities and whether he would ever develop into a leader. As a veteran on a ball club with high expectations, Machado has established a tone of maturity and accountability in a clubhouse with the fifth highest Opening Day payroll ($211,968,286) in Major League Baseball according to the Associated Press. It also helps to have the presence of Bob Melvin who is a three-time Manager of the Year Award winner (2007, 2012, 2018).

Even with Machado’s experience and leadership, the Padres are still confronting growing pains with shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. The 23-year-old’s high energy and zeal for life are infectious, but he also suffers from bouts of immaturity and irresponsibility that have already added undue stress to the Padres. Let’s also not forget serious wrist and shoulder injuries along with a 14-year, $340 million contract extension for a ball player who has only played 273 career ball games at the major league level. Machado is the perfect person to mentor Tatis, Jr. as in some instances, it is as if Machado is looking into a mirror at a younger version of himself. Machado and health are two of Tatis, Jr.’s greatest allies as he recovers from surgery to repair a fractured scaphoid bone in his left wrist this past March.

Manny Machado knows there are important individual and team accolades missing from his impressive résumé. A .200 batting average in 115 at bats over 29 postseason ball games hasn’t led to a world championship nor has he been formally recognized as his league’s most valuable ball player for an entire season. Machado also has financial motivations as well given his 10-year, $300 million contract has an opt out clause after the 2023 season according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Could a 31-year-old Machado walk away from the remaining five years and $150 million on his current contract and make more in free agency? Anything is possible as a National League Most Valuable Player Award would likely add intrigue to an already fascinating conversation.