Gonzalez Rounding Into MVP Form?

Remember this press conference?  It was December 6, 2010 and it was the day that Adrian Gonzalez was officially introduced to the media and fans of the Boston Red Sox.  With it came an abundant amount of excitement and optimism for both the gold glove first baseman and his new team. 

He was going to be the Red Sox first baseman for the next seven years and a catalyst for this offense.  Gone were free agents Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez, but they seemed to be a distant memory with the acquisition of Gonzalez.  After all, he hit 31 home runs for the San Diego Padres last season and 40 the year before and Petco Park isn’t  a ball park suited to Gonzalez’s opposite field power.  Fenway Park is a sure fit for that feature and everyone hung on his word when at the press conference he said he looks forward to many long singles off the Green Monster. 

Everyone laughed because it’s known that Gonzalez isn’t exactly a threat to sneak out a double or two with his lack of speed.  But you could also feel that with that comment, everyone knew exactly what he was talking about.  This man was designed to hit at Fenway Park and now everyone in baseball will get to see it 81 times a year.

But the first month of the season wasn’t exactly flattering for Gonzalez.  He did manage to hit .314 in April with a slugging percentage of .457 to go with 15 RBI.  The only reason his SLG was that high was thanks to his 10 doubles and 1 triple.  Gonzalez had only managed to hit 1 home run through his first 105 at bats, and that came back in the fifth game of the year in Cleveland against the Indians.

Many had picked Gonzalez to make a run at the MVP for the American League this year, simply based on his past numbers with the Padres and the dimensions of his new home at Fenway Park.  After a mediocre start to the season, Gonzalez left many wondering if he would regain that form at the plate that was so encouraging to the Red Sox that they unloaded four highly touted prospects for him.

Well, the month of May is well upon us and Adrian Gonzalez is finding that MVP form.  He’s played 11 games in May and his numbers are staggering.  A .362 batting average with an .809 slugging percentage, complimented by 6 home runs, 3 doubles and 14 RBI.

For the season, his offensive line is continuing to climb (.329, .378, .556).  After Wednesday’s game, Gonzalez leads the Red Sox in almost every offensive category; plate appearances (152), hits (50), batting average (.329), slugging percentage (.556), home runs (7), RBI (29), doubles (13), total bases (86) and is tied for runs socred with 23 and triples with 1.

Needless to say he’s been worth every penny the Red Sox spent to get him and to extend his contract for the next seven years.

He’s been the early season MVP for the Red Sox and while there is still a lot of baseball left, it should be mentioned that if he can continue this torrid pace at the plate, Adrian Gonzalez may be able to add American League MVP to his resume come November.

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