Redmond: Stanton belongs in MVP conversation

WASHINGTON -- Across the board on the stats sheet, Giancarlo Stanton ranks among the league leaders.

The 24-year-old is making a strong case to be a starter for the National League in the 2014 All-Star Game on July 15 in Minneapolis. The first round of NL voting results will be announced on Wednesday.

Not only is Stanton playing at an All-Star level, he is elevating his game to MVP status.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond says there is no doubt Stanton belongs in the MVP conversation.

"Absolutely," Redmond said. "I think the scary thing is he's still improving at becoming a hitter at the Major League level. He's gotten so much better from last year to this year, in terms of pitch recognition and hitting pitches in the strike zone and his approach and all that stuff."

Stanton entered Tuesday pacing the Majors in RBIs (49), and he was tops in the NL in home runs with 15.

The slugger also was tied for third in the NL in runs scored (37), tied for fourth in hits (62), ninth in batting average (.316), sixth in on-base percentage (.404) and second in slugging percentage (.622).

"He's still a young guy," Redmond said. "He's still a young Major League hitter. And that's scary to think about and what he's been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. There's still room to get better. When he continues to swing at strikes and gets pitches and gets into favorable counts ... wow, watch out. As much damage as he's doing now, he could do even more damage."