D-backs’ Paul Goldschmidt finishes second in NL MVP voting

For the second time in three seasons, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has finished second in the balloting for the National League Most Valuable Player award.

Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals was a unanimous choice, garnering all 30 first-place votes and 420 total voting points. Goldschmidt finished with 18 second-place votes and 234 total points. Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds finished third in the voting, well behind Goldschmidt.

The 28-year-old Goldschmidt clubbed 33 home runs, drove in 110 runs and batted .321 while adding 38 doubles and 21 stolen bases for a Diamondbacks club that increased its win total by 15 from 2014. He was an All-Star for the third straight season and won a National League Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award for the second time in his career.

“I’m extremely humbled to be considered for the award, especially in the company of two great players like Bryce and Joey,” Goldschmidt said in a statement. “I’d also like to congratulate Bryce on winning the award after such an outstanding season. It’s flattering to be recognized, not as much for me but for all the people who are part of this team, my teammates, coaches, trainers, clubhouse staff, scouts and player development, our fans and so many more. I’d also like to thank Major League Baseball, the Baseball Writers Association and other media members who spend their time working with us all year long.”

Harper, 23, becomes the youngest MVP in NL history. The first overall selection in the 2010 draft led the National League with 42 home runs, 118 runs scored, a .460 on-base percentage, a .649 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.109.

In 2013, Goldschmidt finished behind Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen, who received 28 of 30 first-place votes.

D-backs outfielder A.J. Pollock finished 14th in the voting with 21 total points.

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