Here’s a solid top 5 MVP candidate list for MLB in 2015, based on who was most commonly viewed as the leading race contenders that season:

Rank Player Why they were in the race
1 Mike Trout Elite all-around production and one of the strongest overall resumes in baseball.
2 Josh Donaldson Huge power season and a centerpiece for a playoff-caliber team.
3 Bryce Harper Monster offensive year and one of the league’s most dominant hitters.
4 Nelson Cruz One of the best power bats in the league, with major run production.
5 Paul Goldschmidt Consistent star-level offense plus strong all-around value.
These names fit the general 2015 MVP conversation, though exact rankings could shift depending on whether you weigh team success, batting stats, or overall value more heavily. **TL;DR:** The 2015 MLB MVP conversation was headlined by Mike Trout, Josh Donaldson, Bryce Harper, Nelson Cruz, and Paul Goldschmidt.