Mike Trout is the frontrunner to win the American League MVP for the second straight season, but is it fair to say the best player in the game hasn't been playing his best ball?

Trout's first two seasons were a revelation. He essentially waltzed onto the field in 2012, technically still a rookie, and looked like a video game master tearing through a game he had solved from the outset. In 2012 and 2013 Trout slashed .324/.416/.560 and averaged 32 home runs and 99 RBIs per 162 games. Insane. He also stole 82 bases and got caught just 12 times; so per 162 Trout was just throwing in 41 swipes.

Bryce Harper feeling the heat from first-place Mets

Defensively he was a marvel. He made wall-scaling catches look simple and was responsible for saving the Angels 21 runs with his glove.