D-backs win? Goldschmidt’s fingerprints are probably all over it

The 2013 season is only 59 games old, but it’s been magical so far for Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

The 25-year-old slugger connected on a grand slam Wednesday night off of St. Louis reliever Maikel Cleto to break the game wide open in a 10-3 win by the D-backs.

In the process, Goldschmidt became the first Diamondback in history to hit two grand slams in one road trip — he also connected off of Cubs’ reliever Carlos Marmol in last Saturday’s 12-4 win in Chicago.

There is all kind of buzz for Goldschmidt in the National League MVP race, and that buzz is getting louder. Goldschmidt is leading the senior circuit with 53 RBI, and ranks in the top five in batting average, home runs, on base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS (on base plus slugging).

But there’s one stat that really pops off the page when it comes to Goldschmidt’s MVP credentials, and that’s how instrumental he’s been in his team’s wins.

Of his 53 RBI, 45 of them have come during Arizona victories. That’s 84.9 percent, which lends credence to the saying “as Goldschmidt goes, so go the Arizona Diamondbacks.”

Since 1980, only one National League MVP has had a higher percentage of his runs batted in coming in his team’s wins than Goldschmidt currently does. Ryne Sandberg of the 1984 Chicago Cubs drove in 75 of his 84 runs (89.3 percent) during wins.

Obviously, Goldschmidt has a long way to go before he can join the above group of Most Valuable Players. But if his current pace continues, especially in D-backs' wins, he's got a good shot.

Follow @Vincemarotta