2022 CCW MVP: Favorites, Sleepers & Cinderellas

The Two-Way Favorites

1. Will Smithey, 243 TV (1st): In betting terms, there's no value in placing a bet for Will Smithey to be 2022 MVP. He'll probably win, but at -2500 odds, you're just not going to make any money.​
2. Rudy Lyon, 182 TV (2nd): You know that shirt in your closet that wasn't expensive and doesn't have a fancy design, but it just fits perfectly? It's been in there forever, gets washed every other day and has become your go-to t-shirt? Yeah, that's Rudy. Nobody is ever going to walk up to you and say, "holy BALLS, that's a sick t-shirt", but people WILL notice that it fits you really nicely. They may even ask if you've been working out lately. Like that t-shirt, Rudy will go through ALL of 2022 without doing anything that jumps out to the ordinary Wiffle fan. But when it comes time to evaluate CCW's most valuable players, you can bet your sweet buns he'll be right there.
3. Reid Werner, 165 TV (4th): Reid probably possesses the best set of raw tools in the league. The lefty bat, the power, the 112 MPH drop ball, the charisma. It's ALL there. Yet, statistically speaking, he hasn't really pulled it all together yet. See that number up there by his name? It says "(4th)"... I just said he hasn't pulled it all together... and he finished 4th in total value. Just stupid. When everything clicks at once - and it will - he'll challenge Smithey for the title of CCW's best player.

​The Sleepers

1. Taylor Carpenter, 136 TV (6th): Wiffle investors, you ready? The pairing with Mike Speek is going to do wonders for TCMVP22 stock, so buy now! Carpenter (F.K.A. "DeHart") has effortless pop at the plate, elite speed on the base paths and incredible playmaking ability in the field. He can become CCW's best do-it-all player if he finds consistency on the mound, and he's in great hands with Mike "the Pitcher Whisperer" Speek.
2. Dustin Dowden, 33 TV (26th): Coming off of shoulder surgery in 2021, Dowden produced 32 of his TV from the plate. In 2020, his first year as a Wiffle pitcher, DD turned in an 87 PV - good for 9th in the league. With a fully healthy year of production, I think we can realistically expect his floor for total value to be around 100 and that lands him in the top 10.
3. Aidan Palmer, 133 TV (7th): "Which Aidan are we getting today?" is the only thing keeping AP from being a perennial MVP candidate. He's weirdly productive at the plate (12th in HR in the Fast-Pitch Era) and he's capable of shutting down the best hitters in the country on the mound... if he's on. Rumor has it he's been lifting, dieting and throwing already. It's an important year for Palmer, both personally and in Wiffle.

​The One-Trick Ponies

1. Brendan Dudas, 168 TV (3rd): The 2021 Silver Slugger turned in a historically dominant offensive season with a league record 49 HR and 0.78 RC per AB (2nd place was 0.53). Simply showing a pulse on the mound - a task Dudas has proven to be difficult - would land him in the MVP conversation.
2. Jake Sprinkle, 159 TV (5th): Sprink, the 2021 Cy Wiffle winner, is in the exact opposite situation as Dudas. He had just 2 RC on the season, yet found his way into the top 5 for Total Value. Unlike Dudas, Sprinkle has proven to be somewhat competent from the other side. A full season of at-bats will give him all he needs to compete for an MVP.
3. Cade Luker, 51 TV (22nd): The summative stats don't do Cade Luker justice. He was THIRD in Runs Created per AB behind Dudas and Smithey, but just wasn't afforded the volume of opportunity he deserved. He'll get that volume this year, and he'll quickly climb the ladder of the league's most valuable players if he can find some production on the mound.

The Cinderellas

1. Mitch Buis, 97 TV (10th): While he hasn't proven to be on the same level production-wise, Buis' situation is very similar to Reid Werner's. When he's good, it's REALLY good, and he's starting to find his way at the plate. He was top 10 in value last year, and most of the league will tell you things still haven't "clicked" for Buis yet.
2. Tyler Punt, 77 TV (16th): Health is likely the biggest factor in TP making a jump into the league's elite. He'll be afforded enough opportunities this season, but the body has to be up to the task.
3. Thomas Hopkins, 79 TV (15th): Hop turned in an impressive offensive performance in 2021. '22 will most definitely call for him to pitch more, and I think he's going to provide value there.
4. Mike Speek Sr., 82 TV (14th): His offensive numbers were way down in 2021. If he can reverse this trend in 2022, he'll hang around the top 10. Staying healthy enough to accumulate ABs and IPs remains the biggest hurdle.
5. Blake Voris, 25 TV (28th): ​The numbers indicate this one is a longshot, but I think he deserves a mention here. He'll have to pitch a lot in 2022, and he'll be a fixture in a lineup featuring Will Smithey and Tyler Gregory. If he can get on base, score runs and rack up strikeouts, we'll see his value climb throughout the campaign.