The 2021 AL MVP race was an exciting one to the very end. The showdown for the award came down to Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr., with the hardware eventually going to the former. With such an exciting race last season, there's reason to believe that the MVP race in the 2022 MLB season could be just as good- or even better. With other superstars like Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, there are a bevy of worthy candidates for the American League's best player. But there are also some names who might go under the radar in conversations about the AL's best players. That said, here are three underrated AL MVP candidates for the 2022 MLB season.

3 Underrated AL MVP Candidates For 2022 MLB Season

3. Byron Buxton 

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton looked like the early favorite for last year's AL MVP. Buxton raced out of the gate, slashing an incredible .369/.409/.767 with 10 homers, 19 RBI, 21 runs scored and five stolen bases in 27 games. Unfortunately, in what has become a career pattern, the speedy outfielder succumbed to injuries, as he dealt with hip and hand ailments this past season. The Twins are hoping for good health for Buxton, who has only played more than 100 games just once in seven years. In other words, he's a longshot to win the AL MVP in the 2022 MLB season. However, the underlying numbers from 2021 suggest that if the Twins star ever did have good health in a season, the statistics he could put up would be awe-inspiring. Per Statcast, Buxton placed in the 99th percentile in sprint speed while posting career-high marks in both expected batting average and expected slugging percentage, statistics that judge a players' batting skills based on how hard he is hitting the ball. The Twins outfielder also played some of the best center field defense of anyone in the league. If he can put together a full season for the Twins, Buxton will be one of the very best players in the MLB in 2022.

2. Eloy Jimenez

Eloy Jimenez had some very bad injury luck in 2021. Jimenez appeared in just 55 games for the Chicago White Sox this past season after suffering a fluke injury while attempting to field a ball during Spring Training last year. The 25-year-old slugger suffered a rupture in his left pectoral tendon and didn't play in his first regular season game until July. However, the White Sox outfielder/designated hitter is healthy now and ready to put together a strong season. Jimenez showed his tantalizing potential as a rookie back in 2019, as he clubbed 31 homers in just 122 games for Chicago. A known free-swinger, Jimenez has been tabbed as a potential future .300 hitter if he can cut down on the strikeouts. Playing in one of the most powerful lineups in the AL, Jimenez could be poised for a monster season if he can stay healthy. A .300 batting average, 40-plus homers and 100-plus runs and RBI are well withing his range of outcomes in 2022. Numbers like that would put him squarely in the AL MVP race in 2022.

1. Kyle Tucker 

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker was regarded as one of the better MLB prospects during his time in the minors. Tucker struggled to find his way in limited stints back in 2018 and 2019, playing in less than 30 games in each season. He looked better in 2020, but his season- and everyone else's- was cut short due to the pandemic. 2021 promised to be the young Astros star's first full season in the big leagues- and Tucker did not disappoint. The 25-year-old posted a .917 OPS while batting .294 with 30 homers, 83 runs scored, 92 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Those were strong numbers, but there's a feeling that Tucker can produce even greater ones. Back in 2019, Tucker slugged 30-plus homers and stole 30-plus bases in the minor leagues. While he might not hit for average as well as some of his AL counterparts, there's the potential for some Mike Trout-like numbers in terms of his power and speed combination. Tucker also bats in a strong Astros' lineup that should be able to provide him with plenty of protection in 2022. Don't sleep on Kyle Tucker as a potential AL MVP candidate in the 2022 MLB season.